Connor Fearon has been hanging out in Bromont getting some preseason training before the World Cups kick off, so when he told us a video he just made with Vincent Allard was awesome we took note. Turns out the chairlift is closed during the week so Connor had to push up but at least it counts as training! ThisA�edit has it all, lens tear offs in the air, whips on that infamous Bromont bridge and Connor just shredding. We chatted with Vincent Allard, the filmmaker behind the edit, this is what he had to say;
Did you see Connor send that berm! Whooo we think he is going to have a good year!
Hi Vincent, thanks for talking to downhill247.com about your latest edit, before we talk about that though do you mind giving us a little bit of insight into yourself:
Hello, my name is Vincent Allard, Ia��m 23 years old and from Montreal, Canada. Ia��ve always been into bike riding and started doing bike videos a few years ago.
For this edit of Connor you went out to Bromont to film, what was the aim for this edit, was there a particular mood or message you were hoping to capture?
Yes we filmed this edit in Bromont, Qc which is the home base of Connor and Mitch during the summer season (and was the only hill available at the time of the shoot). We were not looking into making something extra special with the edit. I had just built a cable cam and my simple goal was to test it and make Connor a small video to get him stoked on the upcoming WC season.
A�How would you describe Connora��s riding today?
The riding was really crazy. He fired that gap into a berm that I didna��t even know was possible. I dona��t know how he managed to rail the berm after.
That gap! Send, send, send!
What do you look for in successful edit?
For me the key part into a successful edit is to feel that the people in it are enjoying what they do. I sometimes watch super crazy movies that were shot with 50ka��s camera and I dona��t like it because the riders dona��t look like they are having a good time.
Do you prefer shooting racing or more casual riding?
I prefer casual riding but racing is fun too, two different worlds.
A�Do you shoot any other type of sports, genres, etc.
Yes, I film lots of other different biking style and also cars. Ia��m slowly starting to make documentary and narrative movies too.
When a rider gets stoked on a edit you know it is a going to be good!
Finally, where can we see some more of your work?
Most of my work are on my clienta��s website but you can find a few videos I made on my Vimeo.
Smiles for the camera! Connor Fearon ripping one of his home tracks. Image: Matt Gibson
As Connor FearonA�was packing his bags and getting ready for another International season we sat down and had a chat with him, here is what he had to say;
Thanks for chatting with us Connor, what are your plans for this year.
I am the only rider on the Kona World Cup team this yearA�and I head to Sea Otter, then I head to Washington to train with Luke Strobel for a bit before I head over to Montreal/Bromont for some more training, riding and to race a few of their races. Then after that it is the first World Cup in Fort William, followed by Val di Sole before a gap where I am going to come back to Australia.
What are your goals this year.
I want to be in the top 20 overall for World Cups, that’s the main goal,A�it is aA�pretty steep goal. Last year I started in the 60’s (placings), before getting to the 30’s. If have a strong start and keep it consistent I think I should be able to do it. The tracks are pretty much the same, I haven’t ridden Andorra before but Val d’Isere isn’t on the calendarA�anymore which is a shame as it was the best result I got. This year I am really trying to make a go of it and I hope the results show that.
Connor finished 34th overall last year and is looking to improve that this year, his highest finish, 22nd also came last year and is another goal for the 2013 season. Image: Matt Gibson
With your training have you got a more structured training plan.
Yeah, Jarah Breese has been helping me out, I have been training pretty hard for the last couple of months and it is definitely showing. I have been riding a lot of cross country and heaps of dirt jumps, there are a lot of dirt jumps around and heaps of my friends do it. I am pretty excited to see what difference it makes at the World Cup level.
The scene is getting more and more professional, what is it like from your point of view.
The racing in the past few seasons everyone has gotten faster and times seem to be closer as well, it seems to be gettingA�faster and more professional every year. I think there are moreA�riders and people, likeA�AaronA�Gwin, just stepping up the gameA�and people are trying to catch up.
Did you race many races over the Australian Summer.
Nah not really, even the National rounds I wasn’t taking that seriously as I just wanted to have fun, the season for me is really just about to start and I want to come in fresh. I had some good results at the Nationals but it doesn’t bother me that I wasn’t winning or up there all the time, if I take them super serious I have serious racing all year round.
A hard off season of training looks to be paying dividends already with Connor claiming third at the Underworld Cup at Port Angeles against a stacked Pro Men’s field! Image: Matt Gibson
There was a lot of talk about your new bike (which we featured here )A�anymore information about it.
To be honest I don’t know much more than you guys, I got it and ride it and like it. I don’t think there are going to be any changes made to it, the set up I have will be exactly the same as what people can buy.
A whole lot of the new wave of Aussie talent, such as David McMillan, Jack Moir andA�some juniors,A�are heading over to some of the races this year, are you looking forward to hanging out with them (downhill247.com will be following these guys at the races this year but more on that announcement soon).
Yeah it is so good riding with someone you know, Whistler this year as well they’re going over and I am looking forward to that, just having fun and a break from racing. It makes it more relaxed at races having people you know there and if you’re having fun you’re more likely to go faster in the race anyway.
With all the Aussies getting together and racing overseas lets hope it is a case of Aussie domination. Image: Matt Gibson
Now that you have been overseas racing so much, what are the things you look out for, free wifi? Good supermarkets? What have you learnt from all these foreign places, especially where they don’t speak English.
We travel in a group that’s pretty good at cooking, I am pretty hopeless and can’t cook more than 2 Minute Noodles or baked beans! The main thing is to get someone to cook some healthy meals. Sometimes it is hard to keep a really good diet when you’re travelling so much but at the races it is pretty good to just get good food and that helps with your racing. No Farmers Union Iced coffee when I am overseas so I have to stock pile those now haha!
The new carbon Kona Operator certainly sent the internet into melt down when Connor debuted his at the National Champs, good news the model we can all buy is the same as ridden by the man himself! Image: Matt Gibson
As we have previously we will be checking in with Connor and his overseas adventures throughout the year so stay tuned to downhill247.com and join us in wishing Connor all the best for the upcoming season!
The most talked about bike at the Australian National Championships was Connor Fearon’s new Kona.
Rumours had been flying for some time before the race and most people were expectingA�Kona to bring out their new toy. Under Connor Fearon Kona debuted their new bike right here in Australia, with Connor flying the flag for the company this year at World Cups the new Operator is going to help Connor to progress. Now we would love to do a full blown interview with Kona and Connor but unfortunately their instructions are to remain tight lips until April, Connor has opened up with some valuable information regarding the bike including that and we quote; “the head angle will be between 60 and 70 degrees” and that it weighs the same amount as a few bags of potatoes” (non cooked still in the bag in case you are wondering!) It was good to see Connor taking a fun approach when being asked about the bike at the race!
“No comment” was the official response regarding questions about the bike but Connor and co did have a bit of fun with it all.
There are a few things we do know though;
– The frame will have 200mm ofA�travel and is made up of a carbon front triangle with aluminium rear stays.
– The head angle between “60 -70 degrees” is likely to be 64!
– A few nice little detailsA�that a lot ofA�bikes are nowA�featuring include the integrated bump stops and internal cable routing (with the option of being able to run them externally).
– Interestingly the bike will have a 104mm press fit bottom bracket as well as the standard ISCG05 chain guide mounts and a 12x157mm rear axle spacing.
A�
The bike almost didn’t get a race debut after Connor snapped the only derailleur hanger in the Southern Hemisphere! A quick trip to a CNC shop fixed all that fortunately.Integrated bump stops and internal cable guides are nice touches.Rock Shox came to the party with a custom sticker kit for the front rear and shocks, will the next step for Connor be the Black Box program?!Connor has gotten use to the bike very quickly, as this user submitted photo from Gibbo show us!
Connor heads off to Sea Otter in just over a month it will be interesting to see what else gets revealed there.
An amazing year for Connor Fearon, which included a third place at the World Championships, has been recognised by Cycling Australia with the presentation of the Junior Mountain Biker of the Year Award.
Capping off a remarkable season, one that hasn’t even finished yet, Connor Fearon has won the Cycling Australia Junior Mountain Biker of the Year Award. Connor started off the year winning the Under 19 Australian National series and National Championships before embarking overseas for the international season. His first complete international season saw him finish 34th overall as well as third overall in the junior series, the year has been highlighted by his third placed finish at the World Championships. Connor joins names such as Rennie, Cory, Hannah, Hill, Delfs, O’Connor & Brosnan in winning the award, a massive achievement!
Straight to the pool room! Connnor was his usual modest self when we talked to him about his award, down playing its significance!
Connor Fearon was having fun on some of the big jumps in Norway, the added style was a bonus for everyone watching!
We finish our wrap up of the 2012 World Cup series with Connor Fearon’s Inside Info from Hafjell, Norway. This is what he had to say;
Norway was the final round for the season and I was hoping to finish it off on a high note. The team got to Hafjell a few days prior to the race. Turns out there nothing to do there when ita��s freezing cold and raining. Despite being labelled a�?Europea��s #1 bike parka�? it turned out to be below average and we couldna��t ride the race track until official practice. The exchange rate there is through the roof as well it felt like I spent more coin in the last week in Norway than the other 4 months of the tripa��
So the start of the week wasna��t all that exciting I was hoping I would cheer up after walking the race track on day 1. The track has a few different sections. Some jumps and corners in the open sections I really liked. Once the track weaved into the wooded sections it became my nemesis, it got pretty slow, technical and awkward. Definitely far from my preferred type of course.
Connor hitting the main rock garden (or jungle as it was being referred to!) on the course, not sure if that is optimum foot/pedal position this time round!
During practice I tried my hardest to pick lines that would open up the track a little bit even if it meant going over rocks and taking wider corners. The coolest obstacle on the track was the massive natural gap halfway down the track. I dona��t think the course builders meant for this to be jumped but it happened anyway. I hit the gap in practice and race run for the fans even though I cased it every time and might have been slower it was still the most fun I had on the track!
My race run was pretty solid until the last sections of the track where the wind picked up a lot and it felt like I was going backwards. I got blown badly by the wind on the last jump and almost crashed, doing this I stomped the ground pretty hard with my leg and hurt my knee which stopped me from pedalling to the finish. I got 38th position in the end which was disappointing because I moved back in the overall (Although beating Peaty still who had a problem in his run).
So my first full world cup series is done and dusted and Ia��m just about ready to head home now! Ia��ve learnt a lot in this season that will help me improve myself for the next world cup season. For now ita��s time to go back to Australia just in time for summer, have a good off season and come out swinging next year!
So Connor’s last race of the season might not have quite gone to plan but he still finished up 34th in the overall, combined with his 3rd place at World Championships, that’s a very impressive season! What will happen next year, downhill247.com will keep you in the loop!
Connor Fearon looked strong on the track all week and was a definite favourite! Photo: Phunkt
We all know how well Connor Fearon did in Leogang but lets hear what he had to say about the week;
Well, well, wella�� The 2012 World Championships is done and dusted! For me I had a lot more pressure on me for this race than the rest of the season for a few reasons- Its world championships, ita��s my last year racing as a junior and unlike world cups there is a separate category for juniors so therea��s a good chance I could leave with a decent result!
For this race I stayed with the entire Australian junior team for the week. Wea��re all good buddies and Jared Rando was there to offer his wealth of experience. For me old Rando is a good role model and I trust him more than anybody in the MTB scene so having him around was a good for the team. We walked the track on Wednesday and it looked pretty good. The top section was made up of bike park turns and a few technical wood sections. The bottom was good with fast rooted and rough sections. Unfortunately there was a big pedal halfway which I didna��t like but felt I could make up for it in the tech sections.
Riders popped over this jump before they had to pedal a bit to get to the next tech section which was followed by another pedal! Photo: Phunkt
Practice and timed practice was a lot of fun. I got to ride with my friends from home and we worked as a team to figure out the lines down the track. In timed practice I place 4th which was a little disappointing as my goal all year was to come away with a medal. I knew my weakness was on the pedal and that seemed easy enough to changea�� just pedal harder, right?
Connor is always strong on the technical areas but in his own words he had ‘to pedal more’ in some parts for his race run! Photo: Phunkt
I had a good warm up before my race run I had my mechanic Matty and Rando both there to see me leave the start gate. My run was smooth I pedalled hard for the flat section mid way. Coming into the final sections I backed it off a little bit because I had crashed there that morning in practise. I came through the finish line in 1st almost 3 seconds up on Jack Moir a fellow Aussie junior from then on I got knocked down to 2nd, then 3rd and stayed there until the end! I was stoked to come away with a medal!
The goal of achieveing a medal complete! Now one more World Cup to finish off the international season for Connor. Photo: Phunkt
Ia��ve achieved a lot this year but ita��s not quite time to go home yet Ia��m currently sitting in my lodge at Norway waiting for the final world cup. I want to finish in the top 30 overall unfortunately for me Steve Peat is sitting right in front of me in the standings so ita��s going to be a challenging weekend for me!
There you go, straight from Mr Fearon himself! We will check back in with him after Norway, as always expect, all the coverage of the race on downhill247.com!
