dh Archives -

The Tasmanian downhill series is upon us again with round 1 held at The Lea in the states south over the weekend. The notoriously flat and rocky track had a tune up over the winter with a bit of smoothing out done to the course as well as adding a couple of new jumps and and wooden drops to keep things interesting.

Seb O'hollaran passes the The Lea cheer squad mid-flight off a log drop. Support from the crowd heightens the excitement! — Seb O’hollaran passes the The Lea cheer squad mid-flight off a log drop. Support from the crowd heightens the excitement!

Rock gardens were a notorious traffic jam — Rock gardens are a notorious traffic jam during practice.

Saturdaya��s practice saw 69 riders competing with plenty of new faces on plenty of different bikes everything from dirt jump hardtails to 29er enduro bikes to full downhill bikes.Saturday afternoon saw some light rain causing certain sections of the track to become a bit boggy for sundaya��s race.

Australian downhill is synonymous with 'rocks', as a few riders found out. — Australian downhill is synonymous with ‘rocks’, as a few riders found out.

Remy Adderton dropping in... — Remy Adderton dropping in…

Kaine Cannon powers through a rock garden during practice, finalising his lines before punching out a top run to take Elite Mens.

Sunday morning had perfect weather for racing, with not a cloud in the sky which luckily retained for the entire day. Riders punched out the practice runs all morning for some last minute tune ups and familiarisation with the track.

Ewan Favretto punches down the trail, comfortable and focused on the bike.

Even event director Matt Wood found some time for runs at The Lea. Perks of the job, hey!

Doug Austin leads Connor Greatbatch OVER the rock garden during practice.

Dereck West styling it up and getting low through the rough stuff.

Racing went relatively smoothly apart from Hamish Johns taking a spill and having to be taken away in an ambulance (Hea��s ok now) – the stoppage on the track caused some of the fielda��s race times to be thrown off resulting in race times having to be taken from the seeding results instead. A�Aside from this Dan Booker managed to take the win in Under 19a��s followed by Simon Palmer and Ewan Favretto. To no onea��s surprise Kaine Cannon took the win in Elite with Ben Hill and Remy Adderton closely behind.

Dan Booker on pace - staring the camera at full pace isn't usually a good thing, but he pulled it off. Next time give us a wink? — Dan Booker on pace – staring the camera at full pace isn’t usually a good thing, but he pulled it off. Next time give us a wink?

All race runs should start with a power wheelie.... Dan Booker taking off. — All race runs should start with a power wheelie…. Dan Booker taking off to 1st place in the U19s.

Dan Booker coming in to land on his Norco Aurum.

Ben Hill punching colour and style into the Tasmanian wilderness, yeeeewww!

Ben again, holding it wide on a tricky rock corner.

Adam Oates hitting one of Dirt Art's wooden features. — Adam Oates hitting one of Dirt Art’s wooden features.

Riders had to be wary of webs like this; they're no catch barrier! More of an unnerving inconvenience of "where's the spider?!" — Riders had to be wary of webs like this; they’re no catch barrier! More of an unnerving inconvenience of “where’s the spider?!”

Thanks to the event sponsors Track X, Ironhouse brewery, Bike Ride, Dirt Art, Hill St Gourmet meats and many others.

Photos & Words: Andrew Palmer

As the climax of the Norway World Cup round approaches, riders had their final full day of practice. Overcast weather loomed, while the riders made late line decisions and showed off their ever-impressive race pace!

After claiming the title of 2013 World Champion, Rachel Atherton is just as fast this weekend. Here she sends it amongst the breathtaking Norwegian scenery. — After claiming the title of 2013 World Champion, Rachel Atherton is just as fast this weekend. Here she’s focused, before the breathtaking Norwegian scenery.

What's in the Atherton's water? Dan looks crazy fast through this flat corner on, definitely on the pace — What’s in the Atherton’s water? Dan looks crazy fast through this flat corner on, definitely on the pace! Both wheels in the air and leg out moto-style, this is the confidence riders aspire to hold on the bike!

The Hannah couple are both racing this weekend, but only Tracey took advantage of practice. Polygon has really staked its claim as a World Cup bike this season! — The Hannah couple are both racing this weekend, but only Tracey took advantage of practice. Polygon has really staked its claim as a World Cup bike this season, as have the Hannahs – we’ll be cheering loudest for our Aussie riders this weekend!

Greg Minnaar too, is flying off the back of a World Champs title. will this weekend be another notch on the bed? — Greg Minnaar is also flying off the back of a World Champs title. He’s definitely performing just as well as any other rider on the course. Will this weekend be another notch on the belt of 2013?

A big style check compared to Dan, but Steve Smith has his eyes on the prize. Stevie's riding on pace here in Norway, it's going to close racing tomorrow! — A big style check compared to Dan, but Steve Smith has his eyes on the prize. Stevie’s riding on pace here in Norway, it’s going to close racing tomorrow!

Wide open, sideways drifting is one way to keep your speed in check, but even better, it looks awesome! We'll see what those in the know think come racing. — Wide open, sideways drifting is one way to keep your speed in check, but even better, it looks awesome!
We’ll see what those in the know think come racing.

More excitement and action from Hafjell tomorrow. In the meatime, follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more photos and exclusive content.

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TAS DH 13/14 Round 1 – The Lea

World Cup 5 – Hafjell – Practice Day 2