Last weekend played host to New South Wales final round of the State Downhill Series. The final chance for the states finest to battle it out for points towards the overall title. Dust did not subside from the first, to the final run of the weekend. The ground was torn up over the course of the two days and crashes became a regular occurrence, luckily most were injury free. In the case of the fallen, we send our positive vibes towards your healing journey. Sit back and enjoy our photo recap.
The shuttle lines were short all weekend, thanks to the quick turn arounds on Hassans Wall RoadState races aren’t as cutthroat so riders can have a bit of fun!The sun was out and there wasn’t any moisture in the soil at all!Harry Pasrons navigating ‘Mega Thunder”on a cautious first run.The youngest of the Weinert family, Troy, drops into the ‘Frying Pan’.Brent Smith sends a triple near the top of the course that would have resulted in carnage had he come up short.The dust caught out a large number of riders.Here Troy Weinert loses the front will in a place a lot of others did.Local boy Lleyton Lothian knows how to put on a show, this was in his final practice run.Pacey floated through the rock this run, unlike his previous attempt where things could have come unstuck fast.The dusty powder and early morning light created quite the mood.The final booter saw riders either scrub or send it in to orbit! Either way they did it like it was just a small trail obstacle.The weekend wouldn’t be the same without Isaac’s presence, quality banter!It was good to see Josh Clark back on home soil. This was his first race since world championships in Italy a few weeks ago.Lithgow’s ‘Pony Express’ snakes its way down the dry hillside.A summer in Whistler for Helensburgh local Josh Lea has helped the skills on the bike. Here he backed up his state championships result with another podium.Trains of riders became hard to shoot (and ride) as dust was sent everywhere!Patrick Butler and Paddy Wise keep it tight during Sunday’s practice session.Lithgow may be short but it makes up for it with its speed.Tom Lewis couldn’t make it on Sunday but he enjoyed being an on track marshal on Saturday.Kye Ahern was pumping out runs on Saturday and his recent Whistler trip was really obvious from his silky smooth style.The golden dust got in all the camera gear but the shots were worth it.Speed and style, just what we want to see at a downhill race!Kye pushed hard for 3rd in Under 19s not bad for someone who can’t race their first world cup until 2018.Duke Millington had a moment in his first run but pulled through on his second run for second place!Patrick Butler back to his usual form! Winning races doesn’t come as a surprise but it is always welcome.Patty Butler takes the race and the overall. He put down the fastest time of the event at rounds two and three.Kellie Weinert is always in good form and near the top. Hopefully she can get some training in for nationals around study!Kellie won the race and the overall.Josh Clark proved his 1st in the speed traps at world championships was no fluke. Mixing things up and taking 3rd in elite men.Brent Smith wasn’t happy, a season of mechanicals and 2nd places, it is hard to see someone go through this after putting in so much effort. They will come!It looked to be a repeat of State Champs with Brent holding the hot seat until Joel Willis came down and wrapped it up by a few seconds!Elite men’s podium! The top three also mirror the top three overall.A new bike with the number 1 plate and a big smile, it must mean Joel took the win! These new Santa Cruzs stole the weekend with 1st i elite men and under 19 men.
It was alright, I mean I didn’t have the best weekend but it was still pretty good. I am happy that I managed to take the win, but Ia��m not happy with how I rode, I could’ve ridden better but that’s alright. Ia��ll do my best to be prepared next time.a�? – Ellie Smith a�?She was good. Yeah I had a good run, held it together. It was actually pretty good, smooth and fast. Yeah Ia��m real happy with it and the overall.a�? – Patrick Butler
a�?Yeah my weekend was really good, Ia��m really happy with my result. My second run was heaps better than the first so ita��s all I can ask for. Everyone had fun so it was a good weekend in all. Ia��m super happy to come away with the overall and I cana��t wait to try again next year.a�? – Kellie Weinert
a�?Yeah pretty good, I had a good run, actually I had a shit run. Yeah Ia��m happy with my result but I could have ridden better. I would like to thank Rocky Trail and everyone who played a part in organising the event, also thanks to my sponsors. Ia��m stoked to be on the bike again after the World Cup series and I cana��t wait to start training again for the upcoming National Series.a�? – Josh Clark
a�?My run was pretty solid, stayed up and ended up getting second. It was alright, ia��m happy to stay in one piece and Ia��m ready to train for Nationals over the next few months.a�? – Brent Smith
a�?My weekend was real good, I haven’t been back to Lithgow in about a year so it was good to get back on my home track and catch up with all my mates. The track was running real good after some of the local boys got onto it. The new V10 is running awesome, got lots of good riding in it and I was lucky enough to have a good run this afternoon and took the win. Ia��m pretty happy to wrap up the series on a good note.a�? – Joel Willis
That’s a wrap!
Images and Words: Matt Staggs Visuals (Facebook here or follow on Instagram @mattstaggsvisuals).
Get more content on Facebook or follow us on Instagram & Snapchat: @downhill247
