South Australian State Series - Race 4

downhill247com IL12 R4 So Factory — The South Australian State Series returned back to Eagle Mountain Bike Park, the site of the 2012 Australian National Championships. This was our favourite image from the weekend, we don't know why but it instantly reminds us of World Cups! Maybe it is the speed blur, the riders position or their appearance whatever the case we love it! The rider is local fast man Brad McDonnell, hash tag: sofactory!

Round four of the South Australian State Series saw riders take onA�the revisedA�track at Eagle Mountain Bike Park. The track hadA�seen some revisions since the last time it was raced on.

The two biggest changes were; the change near the top, which took riders off the ridge and down on to the old ‘flowy lines’ section, as riders approached the bridge jump. The second big change was the addition of a new jump as riders exited the rock garden section (whichA�reverted back to using the steps section as the entrance).

downhill247com IL12 R4 Rocks 640 — The track at Eagle kept everyone on their toes with multiple changes. Fortunately the conditions were quite good! The sun was around and the water stayed away. The track was dry in many places which caught a few riders out.

These changes and the overall technical nature of the track, caught a few riders out, with the medics being kept busy all weekend. The new sections on the track were widely received well by the riders.

downhill247com IL12 R4 630 — The new jump in the middle of the course got a work out from riders and photographers alike!

downhill247com IL12 R4 618 — The run into the jump still saw riders ducking and weaving, that tree is still there.

downhill247com IL12 R4 23 — In fact, there seemed to be a lot of ducking and weaving going on all weekend.

downhill247com IL12 R4 TB — It was good to see Troy Brosnan out at the race positive and happy. He spent his time by the side of the track, video camera in hand, maybe we will see a race edit from TB...?!

As we said earlier the weather was good and Eagle was incredibly green, aA�testament to all the rain South Australia has received recently.

downhill247com IL12 R4 376 — Green, green, green! A totally different scenario from the National Championships earlier in the year.

The weekendA�became a war of attrition and by the time racing started there were a large number of DNS but as they say ‘that’s racing’. Seeding didn’t throw up too many surprises, it was all the usual names at the top of the time sheet.

downhill247com IL12 R4 Flat — Fortunately those who flatted in seeding made it through to the finals to have another shot! Plenty of riders lost air over the weekend due to rocks hiding along the course.

downhill247com IL12 R4 Bus — Shuttle vehicles are part of the racing scene in OZ whether you like it or not! In this case transport ran well and got everyone to to the top as required.

Onto racing and unfortunately there was only one Elite female racer, Jolene Knight. This didn’t stop her from giving it her all and put down a blistering 2.31.24. Under 19 Men is always a hotly contested category and Eagle was no different. Under 19A�has some of the fast Under 17 riders step up to record a time, in the end Under 17’s rider Callum Morrison recorded the fastest time but the victory went to James Chambers.

Under 19 Men

1. James Chambers 2.05.41

2. Matthew Taylor 2.07.51

3. Jake Adams 2.09.25

4. Sam Keogh 2.09.74

5. Max Coleman 2.13.36

The business end of the day saw Elite Men hit the track and again the racing was close. Last round winner Brodie Sturgess was flying, in the end he got a little too loose and finished outside the top five. The same could be said for Nathan Newell. In the end it was racingA�experience that shone through. World Cup veteran Will Rischbieth took the win (and was the only rider to break the two minute barrier) ahead of a fast returning to form Steve Marsh, third was taken out by Henry Blake, another ride with a few races under his belt.