Just like round one Thredbo is a classic stop on the downhill racing calendar in Australia. Here Caroline Buchannan hits the top of the course.
Fast and dry conditions set the stage for the second round of the 2013 Subaru Gravity Cup series at Thredbo, similar to what we experienced last round at Mt Buller. The weather was good, just a little windy, and the atmosphere was great, with a good number of spectators turning up to cheer the riders on.
The Thredbo crew did a good job getting the track ready for the race with the course nice and smooth all the way down to the bottom. It was good to see that they also made a few changes on the track to make it faster.
Ask many a rider an they will stay this course isA�the hardest in the series. By the time the riders get to the bottom of the track their energy is spent and they dig deep to muster up enough energy to pedal to the finish line, trying to get the win.
Sam Hill gave us a glimpse of what he had in store for the weekend in the seeding on Saturday by securing the fastest time, a clear 5.65 seconds over Connor Fearon and 7.16 seconds in front of Jack Moir. The weekend ended with Sam in 1st with a time of 5’21”95, Jack in 2nd and Connor in 3rd. It was well earned first podium finish for he Yeti OZ team rider, Jack, just a couple of days after his 19th birthday.Jack Moir getting super wild! Second on your birthday is a nice little present to yourself…Third place for the second race in a row, consistent if nothing else!Three times BMX world champion Caroline Buchanan won in the elite female category with 6’13”78, the Canadian rider Clare Buchar claimed second place, and the 2004 XC Olympian Lisa Mathison took third.
Round 2 hasn’t changed the overall rankings, with Sam Hill and Caroline Buchanan continuing to lead in the Gravity Cup rankings for their respective categories.
The Thredbo local and a Giant team rider, Thomas Crimmins, took first place in Under 19 on the dusty and tough course at Thredbo with a time of 5’32”69. Here he shows us he isn’t just fast on a downhill bike!Luke Ellison posted a time of 5’34”97 to claim second spot in Under 19, followed by Dean Lucas in third.Over to the final junior women results, Tegan Molloy took first place with Danielle Beecroft caming into second. In third place was Kellie Weinert.With the 201 plate Danielle Beecroft finished second.Andrew Crimmins, with a time of 5’28”14, took the win in the U17. This super quick guy had the third quickest time overall, just 6 seconds behind the legendary Sam Hill. Could this 15 year old local boy from Bredbo be the future of our sport?Chris Kovarik riding the tight wood section just after the big sender.Ben Hill on Zerode riding through the new section that bends around the True Blue rock garden. This section is pretty rough and blown out!Jared Rando – the Giant Australia ambassador and junior coach – riding the Bunny Walk section.Dean Lucas brought it home in third place.Troy Brosnan was happy to be back on his bike, even if it wasn’t to race.David McMillan seeded in 5th but came 8th at the end of the weekend, you know he is capable of that podium spot though.Caution downhill247.com supporters on road! Thanks everyone for the support across the country!
With a short seriesA�we are rapidly drawing to the end!
Article and images credited to: A� RonnieGrammatica.com
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