The last event on the South Australian racing calendar was the 2012 State Championships. The last few ChampionshipsA�have been held at Eagle Mountain Bike Park but this year the race was held at Fox Creek, another local favourite. The track received a few touch ups and was riding well. A new double or wall ride, depending on which option you chose, was waiting for riders just after the triple near the top of the course. Whilst Insideline has been holding races here for years we noticed more and more riders jumping and doubling sections of the track that previously riders were riding over. Evidence of progression in the field no doubt.
The weather had varied in the weeks leading up to the race but that didn’t deter riders from practicing the track weekends prior, some riders clocking up 20 runs in a day! The weather turned on its best both days with the sun out but not too hot. Favourite for the Elite win was always going to be Connor Fearon, after recently returning from his World Cup campaign peoples eyes were firmly fixed on him. However, to write it off as a foregone conclusion would be crazy, names like Maddern, Marsh, Jenkins, Yates, Blake, Ryan, etc were all capable of pulling out a run to take the crown.
Practice saw plenty of flat tyres as rocks and roots became more exposed, as usual some riders also required attention after coming into contact with said rocks and roots.
In between the morning practice session and the start of racing was a fancy dress competition and a thank you to all the volunteers that have helped out over the course of the year. After having travelled to countless World Championships, World Cups, Nationals, etc we can safely say, that here in Australia, the vibe and atmosphere at local races is as good as any of these other events!
Moving on and it was race time. With 175 entrants racing there was close racing across all the categories butA�as expected seeding for both Under 19’s and EliteA�was tight meaning it was going to be tight come finals.
The Under 19’s kicked off the finals and it was a two horse race between Matt taylor and James Chambers for the win. In the end Matt prevailed by just over 1.5 seconds.
Under 19
1. Matthew Taylor 2.11.77
2. James Chambers 2.13.37 + 1.60
3. Bryce Wing 2.20.44 + 8.67
4. Conor Clancy 2.21.00 + 9.23
5. Sam Keogh 2.25.13 + 13.36
Elite Women saw Jolene Knight continue her blistering form by comprehensively taking the win ahead of Molly Payne. Moving onto the Elite Men and the commentators predicted the winning time would be in the region of 2.10, we would soon find out if they were right!
Young Cam Ryan rounded out the top 5 with a solid result, series winner Steve Marsh was in 4th, Steve Gebert 3rd and the final two riders on the track took the top 2 positions. After being on the same second in seeding as Angus Madern,A�it was Connor Fearon who was down next, the time to beat and get onto the hot seat held by Steve Gebert was 2.10.78, sure enough Connor came down with a blistering 2.07.97, the commentators couldn’t believe it and the rest of the crowd was pretty impressed. One rider left, Angus Maddern, he came bursting out of the trees and charged to the line, his time; 2.09.07 meant Connor was crowned 2012 State Champ.
Elite Women:
1. Jolene Knight 2.41.40
2. Molly Payne 2.57.21 + 15.81
3. Julie Harris 3.27.68 + 46.28
4. Moira Love 3.30.85 + 49.45
5. Elsbeth Falster 5.05.71 + 2.24.31
Elite Men
1. Connor Fearon 2.07.97
2. Angus Maddern 2.09.07 + 1.10
3. Steve Gebert 2.10.78 + 2.81
4. Steve Marsh 2.10.98 + 3.01
5. Cam Ryan 2.13.11 + 5.14
That wraps up another successful season, bring on 2013!
As usual great pics and coverage of race. Wel done Peter and team.
Love your work Peter! Thanks http://www.downhill24/7 for the amazing race coverage.