Author: Downhill247.com

Alpine Gravity Series – Round 1 – Barjarg

Adam Aldous makes his way down the second part of the shoot, super loose and dusty by the end of 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.
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!
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!
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!
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...
Sean Frith somehow manages a run after Saturday nights shenanigans…
Jackson White pushes through a corner in the afternoon sun.
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 navigates through the rocky shoot mid track.
Dean Lucas shows brother Jake Lucas a thing of two about cornering.
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!
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.
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.
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.
You can never take the downhiller out, Dean Lucas powers over the line.
Final Podium; Dan MacMunn, Kaine Cannan, Dean Lucas.
Final Podium; Dan MacMunn, Kaine Cannan, Dean Lucas.

Report & images: Jason Stevens Photography

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Pick of the Pics – VicDH 1 – Shepparton

Motivation?! You find all sorts of craziness at downhill races.
Motivation?! You find all sorts of craziness at downhill races.

Round 1 of the Victorian Downhill Series and we just have so much content to show you guys but as they say ‘a picture says a 1000 words’ so with that in mind lets check out some more of the action in picture formatA�from Jason Stevens Photography.

The weather was almost polar opposite Saturday versus Sunday, this was Sunday!
The weather was almost polar opposite Saturday versus Sunday, this was Sunday!
Saturday on the other hand was sunny and dusty!
Saturday on the other hand was sunny and dusty!
Dean Lucas had a run on the small bike but then went back to the big rig but it makes you wonder doesn't it...?!
Dean Lucas had a run on the small bike but then went back to the big rig but it makes you wonder doesn’t it…?!
It wasn't just Dean on the small bike though!
It wasn’t just Dean on the small bike though!

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Media! Doing what they do in this case Jake 'Banana Man' Lucas.
Media! Doing what they do in this case Jake ‘Banana Man’ Lucas getting the scoop from Ben Crundwell.

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Believe it or not we still have some more coverage from the race for you guys, it’s something a bit different but we reckon you will like it!

Images: Jason Stevens Photography

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Victorian Downhill Series – Round 1 -Shepparton

Round 1 of the Victorian downhill series saw us in Shepparton and the view was great!
Round 1 of the Victorian downhill series saw us in Shepparton and the view was great!

3-6-3-0 represent! Round one of the Victorian downhill series saw us hit up Shepparton (3630)A�- well actually we went to Mount Major which is about 30 minutes from Shepparton but close enough. It was round one so everyone was keen to get back to racing, it was hard to pick some people as there were new kits and bikes getting around.

Rocks were the name of the game, after 5 or so bikes lost their rear derailleurs to this rock the marshals came out swinging!
Rocks were the name of the game, after 5 or so bikes lost their rear derailleurs to this rock the marshals came out swinging!

The track was rocky as usual, Shepparton actually held the Oceania Championships’ a few years ago so we will give you a quick brief of the course; the top goes across the ridge before riders had to negotiate several rock gardens as the course started to turn across the face of the hill, a few more rock gardens before some wide open flat corners and some big jumps into the finish, did we mention there were a lot of rocks?

We lost track of the number of mechanicals we saw riders having, either losing derailleurs or the air from their tyres/tubes!
We lost track of the number of mechanicals we saw riders having, either losing derailleurs or the air from their tyres/tubes!
All the rocks made for some awesome riding though with whole rocks flying as riders came charging through!
All the rocks made for some awesome riding though with whole rocks flying as riders came charging through!
The rocks did catch some (a lot) of people out though! Hopefully everyone recovers quickly and we see you at round 2!
The rocks did catch some (a lot) of people out though! Hopefully everyone recovers quickly and we see you at round 2!
Talking about rocks, this rock got dislodged in a rock garden midway down the track but it didn't stop rolling and made it's way almost all the way down the hill, dangerous for sure but not what you would expect to see coming towards you, it was more likely to be a bike/rider!
Talking about rocks, this rock got dislodged in a rock garden midway down the track but it didn’t stop rolling and made it’s way almost all the way down the hill, dangerous for sure but not what you would expect to see coming towards you, it was more likely to be a bike/rider!
The weather was interesting over the weekend, to say the least. Saturday saw hot and sunny conditions leaving a lot of people sunburnt! Sunday morning was much the same but just after qualifying a storm blew in coating the track with water and turning the ground wet on top but dry underneath making racing interesting.
The weather was interesting over the weekend, to say the least. Saturday saw hot and sunny conditions leaving a lot of people sunburnt! Sunday morning was much the same but just after qualifying a storm blew in coating the track with water and turning the ground wet on top but dry underneath making racing interesting.
As per usual transport ran well and everyone was happy doing runs, yeeww!
As per usual transport ran well and everyone was happy doing runs, yeeww!
Overall numbers were probably down a little as riders are a little bit more picky as to which races they do these days but the pit set up was still impressive and there were a lot of smiles on riders faces.
Overall numbers were probably down a little as riders are a little bit more picky as to which races they do these days but the pit set up was still impressive and there were a lot of smiles on riders faces.

QualifyingA�saw the usual suspects up near the tops of the time sheets, names like Lucas, Piribauer and Swann for Elite Men, Molloy and Wale for Elite Women and Morrison andA�Varley for the Under 19s. With racing though nothing is guaranteed, especially when you factor in the number of mechanicals and the prevailing weather conditions…

Fresh from racing World Cups, Dean Lucas was the hands down favourite and donned the number one plate. Photo extraordinaire, Jase Stevens, does his thing in the background!
Fresh from racing World Cups, Dean Lucas was the hands down favourite and donned the number one plate. Photo extraordinaire, Jase Stevens, does his thing in the background!
13, unlucky for some...
13, unlucky for some…

And sure enough… As qualifying finished the weather changed, wind and water hit the mount and threw uncertainty into everyone’s minds!

All morning we watched the weather closing in, hanging ominously above us.
All morning we watched the weather closing in, hanging ominously above us.
When it came it left the top part of the soil wet but underneath it was wet, good luck guessing what to do with conditions like that!
When it came it left the top part of the soil wet but underneath it was wet, good luck guessing what to do with conditions like that!
The weather didn't seem to worry some riders who just kept on blasting!
The weather didn’t seem to worry some riders who just kept on blasting!

Racing, the most important part of the day! Much like practice all weekend there would be mechanicals and crashes, most of the big names kept away from this though. The Women was taken out by Tegan Molloy in emphatic fashion, she is really on a role lately. Under 19’s was unusual in that the fastest qualifier Callum Morrison, came down first, followed by the second fastest qualifier, etc. Different from the usual but something we don’t think is going to happen at the next round. In the end Aiden Varley took the win by over a second and a half from Ben Hill andA�third was Hayden Stead.

Tegan Molloy is on a role and took the victory here by close to 15 seconds!
Tegan Molloy is on a role and took the victory here by close to 15 seconds!
Riley Horsman holding it wide open in Under 19's.
Riley Horsman holding it wide open in Under 19’s
Ben Hill took second place.
Ben Hill took second place.
Callum Morrsion ended up in fifth place.
Callum Morrsion ended up in fifth place.

Elite Men, the business end of the day and looked like all that would stop Dean Lucas was a crash or mechanical, fortunately for Dean he stomped the win by six seconds, second was Tom Wyatt and third Richard Kreuzer. The Elite Men dealt with the conditions unfazed and showed everyone how it was done.

No surprises really, Dean Lucas takes out round 1!
No surprises really, Dean Lucas takes out round 1!
Not everyone had the run they wanted though...!
Not everyone had the run they wanted though…!
If it wasn't a mechanical chances are it was a crash that meant riders had less than ideal race runs!
If it wasn’t a mechanical chances are it was a crash that meant riders had less than ideal race runs!
Matt Swann had a less then perfect run and ended up down the time sheet, expect him to be back next race though!
Matt Swann had a less then perfect run and ended up down the time sheet, expect him to be back next race though!
Trent Piribauer on his way to 4th.
Trent Piribauer on his way to 4th.
Riders were going Mach 1 in the rock gardens!
Riders were going Mach 1 in the rock gardens!
Ina Jones on his way down, look closely....
Ina Jones on his way down, look closely….
And you will see his derailleur with a mind of its own! Fortunately this was during qualifying!
And you will see his derailleur with a mind of its own! Fortunately this was during qualifying!

Overall a great first round and we still have so much more to show you! Tune back soon…

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South Australian State Champs – Willunga

With another season done it was time for the State Champs, for the last few years it has been at Eagle, this year it was Willunga that held the race.
With another season done it was time for the State Champs, for the last few years it has been at Eagle, this year it was Willunga that held the race.

The final Inside Line race for South Australia in 2013 was the State Champs held over the October long weekend to the south of Adelaide at Willunga. Here everyone was vying to take home the state champion jersey, a cool prize and one that everyone liked.

The track had seen a visit from the trail fairies, they brought their bulldozer to make a few changes which was good of them!
The track had seen a visit from the trail fairies, they brought their bulldozer to make a few changes which was good of them!

The trail was different from the State race earlier in the year held here but onA�one ridge over, the top section was made up of technical features, such as rock gardens, g-outs and big jumps while the bottom section was flat turns before the finishing chute.

There were a lot of flats over the weekend, one rider apparently even copping 5 in a row! The reason, little ninja rocks hiding everywhere!
There were a lot of flats over the weekend, one rider apparently even copping 5 in a row! The reason, little ninja rocks hiding everywhere!
Different styles were displayed all weekend long!
Different styles were displayed all weekend long!
Overall the track was fast and riders just blurred past.
Overall the track was fast and riders just blurred past.
Transport ran well over the weekend, the ride up can sometimes be as crazy as the ride down due to the access road!
Transport ran well over the weekend, the ride up can sometimes be as crazy as the ride down due to the access road!

The weather was good, the wind did cause a few crashes on some of the jumps as riders got thrown around, best recovery thoughts to all that crashed!

Ouch! He walked away though, literally crashing a few metres from the finish beam.
Ouch! He walked away though, literally crashing a few metres from the finish beam.

The big draw cards for the racing were Troy Brosnan and Connor Fearon, unfortunately could only do one run, a sore ankle meant he didn’t want to risk hurting it more and spectated over the weekend instead.

Elbows up! Troy Brosnan brings his international speed back home.
Elbows up! Troy Brosnan brings his international speed back home.
There were all sorts of random things spotted over the weekend, large numbers of the police force, people mowing the lawn in their pit areas... All sorts!
There were all sorts of random things spotted over the weekend, large numbers of the police force, people mowing the lawn in their pit areas… All sorts!
Nice view! Not that the riders would notice as they sent the kicker.
Nice view! Not that the riders would notice as they sent the kicker.

Racing saw tension levels higher than just a state round for obvious reasons, the Under 19 race was possibly the most dramatic as Matt Taylor, Conor Clancy and James Chambers battling it out all year, in the end Conor prevailed by 2 seconds. Full results are on the Inside Line club site (or should be soon!). Elite was always going to be Troy Brosnans race to win and he did just that taking the race ahead of Will Rischbieth.

Winner winner! Troy Brosnan adds the State Champs to his impressive list of achievements for 2013.
Winner winner! Troy Brosnan adds the State Champs to his impressive list of achievements for 2013.
Angus Maddern has had a good season all year including heading over to race his first World Cup, he shows us the middle line through the bottom chute.
Angus Maddern has had a good season all year including heading over to race his first World Cup, he shows us the middle line through the bottom chute.
Henry Blake, another rider who had a good year, including heading over to Whistler earlier in the season takes the outside line.
Henry Blake, another rider who had a good year, including heading over to Whistler earlier in the season takes the outside line.
There is talk of doing a 20 year anniversary race here to mark 20 years of Inside Line next year, this bike would fit in perfectly.
There is talk of doing a 20 year anniversary race here to mark 20 years of Inside Line next year, this bike would fit in perfectly.
A good crowd witnessed a fitting final race for 2013!
A good crowd witnessed a fitting final race for 2013!

That is a wrap for 2013! We can’t wait for next years series, thanks to Inside Line, the volunteers and everyone that has supported the site this year.

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