One of the original and still one of the best enduro series in Australia, the Alpine Gravity series always delivers.
It is on again! The 2014/15 Alpine Gravity Elevation Enduro Series will shortly be upon us, we always love heading out to the races that Ben and his crew put on, in fact talk to any of the riders that have raced one and they will tell you much the same! There are some changes for this upcoming series which will make things even better but we will let this video tell the story;
For more information head over to the Alpine Gravity Facebook page hereA�or head to their websiteA�www.alpinegravity.net
Expect coverage from Downhill247 as usual, see you out there!
A different kind of start gate with an urban feel, as riders departed through Mt. Buller Village before dropping into the lush wilderness.The forested areas made for an excellent shady retreat with awesome riding, solid berms and great scenery.
The 3rd round of the Alpine Gravity All Mountain Series had us arriving at Mt Buller, a venue that has had its fair share of mountain biking events over the years. The weather was looking fantastic for the weekend, and as we arrived there was a small sense of delight as there was small patches of snow hidden in the shadows, and while there wasn’t any to ride through, it was a lot of fun to throw at passing riders (Media is allowed to have some fun right?!).
Karl Peel shows us that just because there is no berm doesn’t mean a corner cannot be slayed!One of the more picturesque crossings, this time theres no getting wet while crossing one of many bridges on the Delatite River trail.
As riders started flowing past and we made our way down track, we realised we were infact making our way up track, with the first section of the track being a slow, but steady climb, out of the village and along the ridge of Mt. Buller, slowly snaking our way towards the Delatite river and the aptly named Delatite River trail. After a leg burning climb, the trail slowly started dipping downwards again into a nice flowy section with berms and a traverse along the hillside. It then hit some very fast and loose fire road sections, though just a fire road, your amount of dedication would make or lose time here; if you were confident to let go of the brakes and put full trust in the bike there were valuable seconds to be made up.
More amazing views along the trail, it hard to keep the concentration on the track with views like these.
The fireroads opened up onto a valley with the Delatite River at its base, as we traversed along the walls of the valley we began getting closer and closer to the river, and then started snaking across it over some awesome bridge crossings, and occasionally we got wet, crossing a small tributary feeding the river. These small river crossings were much welcomed as by this time most riders where pooped, with this being a very long track, taking it out of alot of riders, and also the media crew.
This time its full scale wetness……not just for the cyclist.And then we decided to get a little bit arty.
Just when you thought the track was done there are also two pinch climbs to push you over some small but tough hills and then eventually to the base of Mount Buller and the finish. Queensland’s Michael Ronning took the Elite Men’s title, while Victorian Jo Wall claimed the Elite Women’s podium.
One of the final river crossing bridges delivered us out of an amazing valley along which the Delatite River flows.‘Hux’, a name very well known in the Vic riding scene for photography finds himself on a bike for once!Oskcar White looking right at home on the opening section of trail.‘Leachy’ on the hunt for the Alpha Wolf title over reigning ‘Nato’.Can you say, perfect riding weather?
Bright MTB Festival – one of the biggest events of the year! With a huge amount of disciplines there was something for everyone.
The second round of the Alpine Gravity Enduro Series saw us arriving in the picturesque Bright, not only for the enduro, but for the Bright MTB Festival. This saw a slopestyle event, cross country, downhill and enduro races all held over the course of the weekend!
Steep and loose, just what riders wanted and living up to the reputation that Bright has for being one of the premier race destinations in Australia.
For the enduro the weather was on our side with warm sunshine beaming down. On initial inspection the track lived up to its reputation from last year and from the start gate it was steep and loose with plenty of fun turns. After a few riders the track started to get loose and the dust started to fly! Riders were flowing down the track with smiles from ear to ear on everything from 29er hardtails to full-fledged DH bikes. When one bike was shining the other would lose out and the track became equally fair to everyone.
Caption options A) Bulldozing down the track! B) The grade was awesome! C) Everyone brought out their best machinery for the weekend. There you go pick your story!The sun was out and shining, well for most of the weekend anyway!
As the first run rolled around there were so many riders the times fell slightly behind, but everything continued to keep up and run smoothly. As rider after rider pounded the corners the looseness escalated quickly, with many being caught out by dust piles looking like berms, and front wheel washing out.
Front wheel washouts and flat outs wiped the smile off the faces of many riders but only temporarily of course!Rider after rider hit the track churning it up but that’s pretty standard and you get use to that with the Australian climate and soil conditions!Check out the crowd and the stoke clearly evident on Lucy Crundwell’s face! Doesn’t it make you smile?!Staying with the Crundwell clan but this time Ben pinning it and duly rewarded with 5th for his efforts!More stoke! Love that crowd.
The second runs began seamlessly and riders again flowed down the track but soon the clouds rolled in. By the time Elite Women were racing there was a sizable thunderstorm making its way over the race, many women finishing claimed to be hailed on either at the top of the track or mid-way down! As the storm escalated and the lightning grew closer and closer, the decision was made to cancel the Elite Mena��s second run due to dangers with the lightning and storms. This meant a hectic mass downhill start for all the boys resulting in plenty of fun being had down the track, it did however mean the first runs standings were the final results. Chris Panozzo took the victory with a healthy margin of overA�9 seconds in what was a pretty stacked field.A�What times riders would have done in their second run we will never know but we still got a result and fun was had, which is the main thing!
Elite Women:
1. Carrie McLachlan 8.30.22
2. Genevieve McKewA�8.34.10
3. Ronja Hill-Wright 8.38.36
4. Jpo Wall 8.44.25
5. Alyssa Lyons 8.52.44
Elite Men:
1. Chris Panozzo A�6.55.52
2. Jack Tattersall 7.04.58
3, Kaine Cannan 7.05.58
4. Jon Odams 7.08.09
5. Ben Crundwell 7.10.73
Watch that pedal! The fine line between an awesome run and telling all your mates in the car park ‘if only I had/hadn’t…’Bright MTB Festival done and dusted for another year, we will be back next year! Before then though we will be back to Bright over summer for some more racing!
Adam Aldous makes his way down the second part of the shoot, super loose and dusty by the end of racing.
Welcome to Barjarg, the first round of the Alpine Gravity Elevation Series, after last yeara��s success this year was highly anticipated with well over 200 riders showing up for the weekend of racing. Alpine Gravity put a large emphasis on making their races casual, relaxed and inviting. The first round of this series was no different, with friendly staff everywhere to help, but strict guidelines and rules to keep everyone safe, plus it helped the event run as smoothly as possible.
Lucy Crundwell makes her way down track.
As practice begun the dust stared to fly. With no rain to settle the ground over the past fewweeks, the track was dry and it didn’t take long for riders to have to space themselves quite a ways apart just to see the track. The dust being lifted also began revealing some surprise rocks, changing lines and at times catching people out. The elevation tracks have been designed with every rider in mind, from beginners to world cup standard riders.
Chris Panozzo pushes limits entering the valley kicking up the dust as he does so!
Mid-way through practice the shady areas became very popular spots to stop, watch, and practice as the sun got very warm in the midday sky. As practice wrapped up on Saturday there was many a dusty rider, with sizable smiles all round, though the track was slightly challenging the consensus was overwhelming amounts of fun.
A photographers life isn’t all that bad at times – taking a break from the sun!Todd Palmer pushes hard through a flat corner, holding in a big smile – riders really enjoyed themselves and turn around times were quick!
Race day arrived as did the sun again, though it was warm, the weather was outstanding with perfect blue skies. Morning practice saw a very efficient shuttle send plenty of riders down the hill pre-race runs to dial in any final lines and suss out any rocks that may of moved or appeared late Saturday afternoon.
Sean Frith somehow manages a run after Saturday nights shenanigans…Jackson White pushes through a corner in the afternoon sun.
Racing began and riders started flowing down the hill, and up the hill! With so much downhill under the belt it takes some getting used to seeing riders go up! Alpine Gravity Elevation allows riders two runs, taking their best run for the final result, meaning ita��s a very fair racing system which allows you to have a mechanical in one run and still be competitive, it also allows for personal competition to try and beat your own time! As the first runs finish up we see Dan MacMunn on top, looking good to keep his unbeaten streak at Alpine Gravity Elevation going.
Dean Lucas navigates through the rocky shoot mid track.Dean Lucas shows brother Jake Lucas a thing of two about cornering.
The second runs begin there are many more accidents and slip ups as riders become tired and fatigued. this provides excellent entertainment for the spectators in the final valley section near the bottom of the track who see plenty of riders become unstuck, and also plenty stay rubber side down at high speed, which is just as exhilarating.
David Ferroni showing that the big wheels keep up with the rest of the pack!Chris Panozzo shows off some of the skills which had him looking quick all event.
As racing wrapped up Dan MacMunn took the win keeping that record perfect, followed by Kaine Cannan and wrapping up the podium Dean Lucas.
Dan MacMunn pushes hard in the valley to claim top spot and keep his Alpine Gravity Enduro record perfect.You can never take the downhiller out, Dean Lucas powers over the line.Final Podium; Dan MacMunn, Kaine Cannan, Dean Lucas.
From one series to the next! Myrtleford, VictoriaA�hosted round 1 of the Alpine Gravity series and the track set the tone for a pretty epic season. A tight, steep track full of pine needles but one that had everyone cheering. The weekend was well organised and everyone was raving about how they are going to go to the next one in Barjarg. Joey Vejvoda took the win from David McMillan who crashed a few times in his race run and damaged his shifter. Timmy Eaton rounded out the top three but said he has more work to do to catch up with the other two!
Elite Men:
1. Joey Vejvoda 2.33.94
2. David McMillan 2.40.54 + 6.60
3. Timmy Eaton 2.42.22 + 8.28
Elite Female:
1. Lucy Brandon 4.08.10
2. Lina Li 4.11.74 + 3.64
3. Sarah Silverlock 4.36.40 + 24.66
Under 19 Male:
1. Callum Sarby 2.59.94
2. Jack Lenton 3.07.78 + 7.84
3. Oskar Catoggio 3.09.53 + 9.59
With the series growing we expect a larger turn out next round, see you there!
