Insideline is one of the oldest downhill clubs in Australia (and therefore the world?!) and the weekend saw their 19th season/year start at Fox Creek on the bowl track.
Fox Creek is one of the classic race venues on the South Australian calendar.Weather was good, especially considering how it can be at Fox.Everyone was happy to be back racing.There were some familiar races back from races we have seen across Oz, here is Henry Blake repping in SA.We understand mate, we understand! It is a tough gig being a photo-g but Kane wasn’t even sure what was happening at this moment!The track was very similar to as previously raced with a few tweaks from the trail fairies.Will Rischbieth is another rider who we have seen across the country this year already.Matt Taylor keeps his good form in SA going and took the win in Under 19s.Haha what is going on in this photo?! Oh the captions, we call it the downhill dance!
The results from the weekend are below;
Elite Women:
1. Philippa Rostan 2:45.312
2. Molly Payne 2:54.653
3. Moira Love 3:12.970
4. Sheree Dickinson 3:35.44
Elite Men:
1. Angas Maddern 2:17.190
2. Steve Gebert 2:17.440
3. Will Rischbieth 2:18.520
4. Craig Yates 2:18.920
5. Steve Marsh 2:21.070
Under 19 Men:
1. Matthew Taylor 2:19.380
2. Curtis Dowdell 2:19.770
3. Cody Barker 2:21.110
4. James Chambers 2:21.820
5. Conor Clancy 2:23.730
It was a very happy Angus Maddern who took the win, just from Steve Gebert amongst a strong field. The next race is Willunga, see you there!
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!
Round 1 of the first gravity series in SA and we were keen to check it out.
On the 14th of April we hit up GESAs (that is the Gravity Enduro club of South Australia)A�round 1 at Craigburn Farm. It was a cool day, check it out;
This was the first enduro race to be held in SA and is the first in the 2013 series.There were 5 timed stages over the day, including all the favourites such as Craigberms.Straight off GESAs website this is the format they were shooting for; “Timed downhill sections should Ideally consist of approx 85 to 90% downhill with short uphills. The Downhills will be a mix of Technical trail, and Fast single track. Not as brutal as a Downhill course, but enough to warrant using a mid travel bike. However, bike choice is entirely up to the rider.”It was a pretty cool timing set up, riders had little chips on their hands they used to swipe for the stages.The weather was mint, as were the views!We spotted a lot of flats over the day, some more severe than others!Second place getter, Andy Clarke, gets a bit of a move on from Troy Brosnan on the final stage.All the race entries were taken before the race as they sold out online.Check out the concentration! Sam Hardie snapped up third place.
The day was a big success and all the entries had pre sold out, there was good racing across all the classes. Hit up the GESA site for all the results;
Elite Men:
1st: Nathan Morris – 13:00
2nd: Andrew Clarke – 13:06
3rd: Samuel Hardie – 13:28
Elite Women:
1st: Jaclyn Schapel – 14:40
2nd: Sarah Holmes – 14:59
3rd: Anna Puckridge – 15:30
The next race is at Eagle and we expect it to be a more technical race, we are keen to check it out!
Mount Beauty, an old favourite for what seems like forever!
Mount Beauty played host to the final round of the Victorian Downhill Series. The track and the town itself is a long-time favourite amongst the riders, so everyone was already excited when they arrived into town. There was a threat of rain forecast but this didn’t keep the crowds away with approximately 250 riders entering.
Mount Beauty holds numerous races every year and it is easy to see why.
As practice began the track immediately began bedding in and soon wearing quickly. Ruts began to form and corners started being dug our very quickly, leaving plenty of loose dust off line. This presented a high risk to any rider willing to try a different line.
The track started to wear and riding got looser! Do you think he held it?Phil Piazza tries again!Phil wasn’t the only one getting a bit wild!
As practiced continued it was becoming apparent that Mount Beauty was out to claim as many riders, components and bones as possible! Almost every shuttle run involved at least one mechanical and a more than minor off. The mountain then showed its teeth a little more severely, claiming Shelly Floods wrist and her V10 linkage.
Should that be like that?! Nope Beauty claims another one…According to the doctor her bike may have been broken but her arm wasn’t… A second opinion (from anyone) would have revealed this, your arm is supposed to be straight! Heal up soon.
As practice drew to an end, there were many smiles and plenty of dusty, crash moustaches. Riders walked away excited for Sundaya��s racing.
The bottom jumps were made even more challenging after doing a full run.There was also lots of style being thrown down though!
In the open practice Sunday morning riders were determined to hit race run lines and attempt those sneaky lines that perhaps were missed or eyed off on Saturday. For some it payed off, for others it meant coming off. For Daniel Wilson it means bottoming out, pretty intensely with only a couple of riders clearing one of the last jumps on track.
Suss the compression!The track was as rough on bikes as it was on the riders!
As qualifying began riders started streaming down the hill, getting looser and looser, simultaneously the plates got higher and higher in ranking. Unfortunately, mid-way through Melvin Aricayos came into view and slammed into a tree track side. This halted qualifying and eventually caused qualifying to be cancelled for the remainder of the riders, which in turn brought race runs forward for every rider. Melvin has suffered plenty of injuries from his off and we wish him all the best in his recovery.
Riders were getting ragged towards the end of qualifying…A crash in qualifying meant a mix up to how races would normally be run but in the end everyone had a race run in some way or another.The crowd focuses in on the riders.Loooosssee!
As the track was cleared and the order somewhat shaken up, the Elite men started coming down the hill, leaving the Expert Men to finish the day, which was a nice change for once. Being in listed plate order things got shaken up, though being the last round the order almost sorted itself out, plenty of interstaters were assumingly lower than you would expect in the order. As the Elitea��s finished up many riders were disappointed in the race run only decision, however with light not being on our side, now daylight savings has finished, the opportunity for a qualifying and race run seemed bordering on impossible.
Day-light savings meant there wasn’t enough time to do a full run of qualifying and racing.David McMillan with his eyes on the prize…Elite Women’s podium.Elite Men’s Podium.Now is David McMillan rocking some new sticky rubber prototypes here or getting his Hef on?!Matt Swan’s team mate Aiden Varley took the Under 19’s win.
At the end of the day Dean Lucas took the win in Elite Men in his final outing with the Kona Australia Team and Sarah Booth took the win in Elite women ending the season with another Kona Australia dominated top step.
Elite Men
1. LUCAS Dean 2:48.057
2. PANOZZO Liam 2:49.863 + 1.806
3. MCMILLAN David 2:51.745 + 3.688
4. PANOZZO Joel 2:53.572 + 5.515
5. ATKINSON Rhys 2:56.132 + 8.075
Elite Women
1. BOOTH Sarah 3:50.739
2. WALE Ellie 4:12.300 + 21.561
3. BEETON Hannah 4:14.431 + 23.692
4. LI Liching 4:17.959 + 27.220
5. LI Lina 4:21.457 + 30.718
Under 19 Men
1. VARLEY Aiden 2:50.259
2. ZWAR Oliver 2:58.465 + 8.206
3. HAWKINS Austen 3:13.396 + 23.137
4. KELAART Benjamin 3:16.437+ 26.178
5. FALTUM Liam 3:17.118 + 26.859
Team Lucas here in this shot! Dean finished off his season with Kona the best way possible, with a win!Dean cranking towards the line.Another series done and dusted!Finally a huge, huge thanks to Jason Stevens for his tireless work over the entire series (and summer!)
Our man on the ground hit up Thredbo for the Flow Rollercoaster NSW State Enduro Championships, which was being held on the same weekend as the Red Ass NSW State downhill Series (check out our report for that hereA�). Check out what he had to say about a fun event;
This past weekend the Flow Rollercoaster NSW championships was held in Thredbo. With the recently built flow trail at Thredbo playing host to the race, it was sure to be an exciting weekend. Rocky Trail Entertainment are the event organisers in NSW for the rapidly growing enduro/all mountain format and have already run two Flow Rollercoaster races this year at Ourimbah and Del Rio. However this race was a standalone event, as it had a championship status there were no series points. Arriving late Friday afternoon it was off to the registration area, there I met Juliane and Martin who run Rocky Trail.
The next morning it was an early start as practice and racing was all in one day. Whilst waiting for the lift to start I was given a rundown of the track from a rider who had been practicing the previous day and it only add to the excitement when he told me the speeds he had been reaching. Heading up on the lift it was a cold day but there was no rain. After doing numerous practice runs and having an awesome time, it was off for lunch before race runs. In this time the weather changed for the worst and heading up of the lift for the races saw rain and even hail. Arriving at the top riders were reluctant to head down to the start, as it was the only cover from the weather. Arriving at the start gate saw sleet and rain which would affect the track drastically.
Alpine areas are partial to weather conditions that can change almost instantly and they did!.
With the format riders were able to head down as they pleased, with top riders such as Dan MacMunn and Ryan De La Rue being some of the first to head down. Their runs would be in extremely muddy conditions, along with most of the field. Heading down the track it was extremely slippery compared to practice. After the first runs were completed it was Dan MacMunn who had the fastest time. There were numerous riders opting out of a second run due to the weather. Heading up for aA�second run it would be a gamble as to whether the track would be worse or not. Getting to the bottom after theA�second runA�it was evident that the track was in a lot better condition, drying out a great deal, after having some many riders over it.
Sunny skies and a clean bike/kit but not for long!
At presentations it was clear that the riders that headed up for a second run were rewarded, local Tomas Crimmins took the win from Victoriana��s Dan MacMunn and Ryan De La Rue in 2nd and 3rd. Whilst in the women’s it was Sarah Booth taking the win from Tegan Molloy in 2nd and Vanessa Thompson in 3rd. With the event being run alongside the first round of the Red Ass NSW State downhill numerous downhill riders choose to do both events, in total there were 141 competitors. After presentations riders and spectators headed to the pump track for a fun contest. It was evident that this had been a successful event which Rocky Trail had put on and I would strongly recommend it to riders.
Thredbo, an old favourite, a classic shot of Ryan Olinn jumping the top rock garden.
The Red Ass NSW State series kicked off over the weekend on Thredboa��s famous Cannonball run. With around 250 riders making their way down, to get some early season points in, it was going to be a wicked weekend of racing. Saturday would also play host to the Flow Rollercoaster NSW State Champs, on Thredboa��s new 5.6km beginner downhill, followed by a Pump Track Challenge in the evening!
Good conditions but in Alpine areas this can change almost instantly.
Saturday saw practice get underway under bluebird skies but these were set to change quickly. Riders started getting some good practice runs in early in the day to try and beat that famous Thredbo arm pump come race day.
Currently in hot form, Jack Moir was one of the favourites but unfortunately a crash ruled him out of contention.
Jack Moir unfortunately had a crash in Saturday practice and ended up with quite a large cut on his ankle which ruled him out for the DH on Sunday.
The sun rose over Thredbo on the Sunday and we knew we were in for some fast racing. Saturdaya��s rain had left the track in near perfect condition on Sunday morning and riders were punching out laps like there was no tomorrow with grins to be seen everywhere. As a few sneaky race lines started to form on the hill, the talk in the pits was about who your money was on for Elite Men, now that hot favourite Jack Moir was out. The Crimminsa�� brothers were on everyonea��s minds as they had the home track advantage. As was Ben Cory, who is always one to watch at Thredbo and not forgetting the likes of McMillan, Vejvoda, Ellison and Eaton who was returning to racing from an injury.
Joel Willis took the number one spot in qualifying early in the day.
Qualifying got underway in the Under 19a��s and it was Joel Willis who would take the top spot ahead of Ryan Oa��linn & Jackson Frew. In the Elite Female, Tegan Molloy showed her dominance in Thredbo to qualify first by over 25 seconds ahead of Danielle Beecroft & Kellie Weinert. In the mena��s it was Andrew Crimmins in 3rd, Vejvoda 2nd & Thomas Crimmins 1st. We were in for a family showdown!
After heading off early and setting a blistering time Ben Dengate had a long wait in the hot seat to see if anyone could better his time. In the end he finished third.
Finals got underway with Under 19a��s off first. Ben Dengate set a blistering time early in the field and held the hot seat for the majority of Under 19a��s race, up until the final 2 riders. Ryan Oa��Linn then crossed the line nearly 6 seconds up on Dengate to take the hot seat. It was only Joel Willis who could now snatch the win from Oa��Linn and thata��s just what he did. Joel Willis crossing with a 5:50.73 to get the Under 19a��s win.
Sarah Booth put an early claim in for the fastest Elite Female time.
Next up were Elite Female riders. Sarah Booth set the early pace putting down a 6:44.47. Young Kellie Weinert was next and was just short of Booths time crossing 0.13 shy.
Danielle Beecroft sending it on her way to second place.
Danielle Beecroft then smashed Booths time by 10 seconds to go into the hot seat but was still 13 seconds back on Molloya��s qualifying time.
Tegan Molloy showed her dominance at Thredbo by taking another win by a huge margin.
Tegan boosted from the final trees way up on Beecrofta��s time to cross in a 6:16.03. It is so good to see such close and competitive racing in the female classes. 3 of the top 4 girls are all 18 & under and putting down sub 7 minute times at Thredbo. WOW!
It was now time for the main event, the Elite Mena��s field were about to put damage into the Thredbo downhill. Phil Piazza set the early pace putting down a 5:38 to go into the hot seat. Thredbo local Tim Windshuttle was on for a good run but had a crash and fell just short of Piazza.
Timmy Eaton used this race to return to racing,we will be having a chat with Timmy regarding this soon, watch this space!
Tim Eaton then had a crack in his return to racing after an elbow injury but also fell short of Piazza. Jake Newell then came down to put nearly 5 seconds into Piazzas time and claim the hot seat. This didna��t last for long though as Ben Cory set a blistering time crossing the line slightly faster than Crimmina��s qualifying time of 5:31. Luke Ellison then sprinted to the line to slip in just behind Cory.
David McMillan was looking good on the bike as usual and put in a solid final run.
Dave McMillan whipped his way through the final jumps to nudge Cory to 2nd by only half a second.
Well done Andrew Crimins! His first Elite race and what a result watch out for him and his brother as they continue to progress.
Andrew Crimmins racing his first ever Elite race came flying into the finish arena on the run of his life. The crowd erupted as the 15 year old smashed McMillana��s time by 3 seconds. The machine that is Joey Vejvoda had some work to do and he came so close to knocking off junior Crimmins but fell just short with a 5:28. The look on Andrews face was indescribable, knowing in his first ever Elite race, that the only one that could take the title from him was his older brother. It was now confirmed that it could be the Crimmins brothers on the 2 top steps today!
All eyes were now on the final trees to see what Thomas a�?The Guna�? Crimmins could pull off. He launched from the final trees and it was going to be close, real close. He sprinted to the line to cross 0.59 of a second in front of his younger brother. Too see two brothers aged 15 & 17 taking out 1st & 2nd respectively in an Elite field is just unbelievable! The last 10 minutes had just been the most exciting racing I think we had ever seen in Thredbo.
Thredbo was a family affair, the Crimmins family claimed positions one and two.
Times were getting faster and faster and in the end a family showdown which nearly brought mum & dad to tears!
Joey Vejvoda rounded out the top 3 making it a Bredbo trifecta!
T. Crimmins 1st, A. Crimmins 2nd, Vejvoda 3rd, McMillan 4th, Cory 5th. Ironically the top 3 riders are all from the tiny town of Bredbo located between Thredbo & Canberra. Whata��s in the water in Bredbo you ask? Not sure as I dona��t think its drinkable!
Images and Story: A� RonnieGrammatica.com (http://www.ronniegrammatica.com)
