Category: Overseas races

Inside Info: Connor Fearon – Leogang

After 3rd place here last year in the juniors at the World Championships we were all hoping Connor could snag a big result!
After 3rd place here last year in the juniors at the World Championships we were all hoping Connor could snag a big result!

So Leogang was the last race of the World Cup season for 2013 and the last race until I went back home for the summer so I was pretty excited to get a good result here and get home. Last year the World Championships were here and I placed 3rd so it was good to know I can perform here. The track was really good this year it had some new technical sections which worked in my favour but kept all the turns at the top section where my Kona Operator rips.

Since there was no cross country races at the event the schedule was different to other World Cups. Track walk was on Thursday, practice started Friday with qualifying Saturday and Sunday. It rained a lot during the week so practice was pretty wet and treacherous. I was using wet scream tires which worked well and they roll well so it helps in the middle section where therea��s lots of pedalling. On Saturday it dried up quite a bit but I still used mud tires because I was use to them. I had a big crash the run before qualifying which knocked me around a bit. I broke my helmet and hurt my hand so I had to roll down to the bottom slowly.

When warming up for my qualifying run my hand was really sore and I didna��t know if I could even finish my run. Luckily adrenaline kicked in and it didna��t bother me too much. I finished 13th which is really good, my best qualifier ever. I was looking pretty forward to racing and walked the track Saturday arvo I check out some new lines that appeared from the dried out course.

After qualifying 13th, his best result to date, Connor was in the box seat for a big result.
After qualifying 13th, his best result to date, Connor was in the box seat for a big result.

Waking up on Sunday I was really excited and nervous. Ia��ve never qualified this good before and it piled a lot of pressure on me to do just as well in finals. I did two good practice runs and just waited nervously until it was time to race. Matty my mechanic had my bike running flawlessly and I was really confident. With not much to lose I set off from the gate and gave it everything I had. Luckily there was a tailwind in the pedalling sections so there stronger riders couldna��t gain much time there. I was hoping to come through the finish line in the top 7 so I would be guaranteed a top 20 finish. I actually took the hot seat by almost a second. Once everyone had finished I was left in a career best 10th position. What made it better was before my race Matty said if I got top ten hea��d buy me a set of Brembos for my WRX so Ia��m waiting for those now haha!

Now that the season is done and dusted I can finally make my way back to Aus and relax for the rest of the year. Ia��ve learnt a lot this year, although I didna��t quite reach my goal of top 20 overall (finished 25th) I ticked a big box for the top 10 at Leogang. Ia��m locked in for next year and cana��t wait to train hard and improve my results.

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World Cup 6 – Leogang – WC Finals

That’s it! With a spectacular finish, the 2013 UCI World Cup is over. The heart of every rider was in this race, on the famous slopes of Leogang, Austria. With 3 Aussie riders in the Top 10, we’re a proud DH Nation! Read on…

Rachel Atherton has worked hard and pushed the Women's division this year. Her riding has been outstanding, and today she stood proud on the podium, second by a half-second.
Rachel Atherton has worked hard and pushed the Women’s division this year. Her riding has been outstanding, and today she stood proud on the podium, second by a half-second.
Dean Lucas took on the Junior Men one final time, and came out 12 fastest. A strong season sent Dean to 4th place overall, an admirable achievement and a notch in the belt on his racing career. Here he takes on the mud and wet roots; a hazardous combination at best.
Dean Lucas took on the Junior Men one final time, and came out 12 fastest. A strong season sent Dean to 4th place overall, an admirable achievement and a notch in the belt on his racing career. Here he takes on the mud and wet roots; a hazardous combination at best.

The Elite Men’s Top 10 in Austria for 2013. Packed with the most well-known DH racing teams, and over 1/4 Australian (equal with the Lads!).

1 SMITH Steve CAN19891125 DEVINCI GLOBAL RACING 3:23.959
2 BRUNI Loic FRA19940513 LAPIERRE GRAVITY REPUBLIC +1.311
3 HANNAH Michael AUS19831121 HUTCHINSON UR +1.934
4 ATHERTON Gee GBR19850226 GT FACTORY RACING +2.858
5 BRYCELAND Josh GBR19900323 SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE +3.402
6 GUTIERREZ VILLEGAS Marcelo COL19900509 GIANT FACTORY OFF-ROAD TEAM +4.267
7 BLENKINSOP Samuel NZL19881028 LAPIERRE GRAVITY REPUBLIC +4.320
8 BROSNAN Troy AUS19930713 SPECIALIZED RACING DH +5.577
9 PEAT Steve GBR19740617 SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE +6.039
10 FEARON Connor AUS19940119 KONA +6.620

 

As the favourite, Stevie Smith placed ahead of a determined Gee again by mere 1.5 seconds. It seems like Stevie has a knack for getting us on the edge of our seats!
As the favourite, Stevie Smith placed ahead of a determined Gee again by mere 1.5 seconds. It seems like Stevie has a knack for getting us on the edge of our seats!

Familiar names throughout the Women’s Top 10 too, with Tracey Hannah Bringing Aus home in 8th place.

1 RAGOT Emmeline FRA19860527 LAPIERRE GRAVITY REPUBLIC 3:52.866
2 ATHERTON Rachel GBR19871206 GT FACTORY RACING +0.502
3 CARPENTER Manon GBR19930311 MADISON SARACEN DOWNHILL TEAM +4.817
4 KINTNER Jill USA19811024 TEAM NORCO INTERNATIONAL +7.562
5 NICOLE Myriam FRA19900208 COMMENCAL / RIDING ADDICTION +7.815
6 CHARRE Morgane FRA19900609 MS MONDRAKER TEAM +10.592
7 SEAGRAVE Tahnee A� GBR19950615 FMD RACING / INTENSE CYCLES +10.609
8 HANNAH Tracey AUS19880613 HUTCHINSON UR +13.078
9 SIEGENTHALER Emilie SUI19860919 GSTAAD-SCOTT +13.178
10 GATTO Micayla CAN19880821 A�- +15.348

 

Here is your 2013 World Cup Overall Podium. These are the most elite Downhill racers in the world. While it'd be great to see some Aussie faces up there, these names deserve to be here.
Here is your 2013 World Cup Overall Podium. These are the most elite Downhill racers in the world. While it’d be great to see some Aussie faces up there, these names deserve to be here.
Tahnee Seagrave finishes in style, soaring for the crowd into 7th place.
Tahnee Seagrave finishes in style, soaring for the crowd into 7th place.
Right behind Tahnee was Hutchinson UR team rider and Australian, Tracey Hannah. This Team Hannah WC Tour was one to be remembered!
Right behind Tahnee was Hutchinson UR team rider and Australian, Tracey Hannah. This Team Hannah WC Tour was one to be remembered!

Here are the full Aussie results, starting with Elite Men:

3 HANNAH Michael
8 BROSNAN Troy
10 FEARON Connor
47 MOIR Jack
65 MACMILLAN David
DNS HILL Samuel

A�Elite Women

8 HANNAH Tracey

Junior Men

12 LUCAS Dean
20 ELLISON Luke
Downhill247noel finishlq
The World Cup Season may be over, but we’ll be back soon with more Australian Downhill content, including NSW DH State Champs in Lithgow. Follow Downhill247.com on Facebook and Instagram for the latest unique content.
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World Cup 6 – Leogang – Qualifying

It appears the whole downhill mountain bike world is focusing in on a quaint little town in Austria known as Leogang!
It appears the whole downhill mountain bike world is focusing in on a quaint little town in Austria known as Leogang!

So Saturday practice and qualifying has just added more uncertainty to how the 2013 World Cup season is going to finish. Big news is Stevie Smith qualified first, with Mic Hannah second and Gee Atherton third, the gap between Gee and Stevie is now just 3 points in Stevie’s favour, winner takes all come race day now!

fastest in qualifying, has Stevie Smith now become the favourite? We would say it is still too close to call.
Fastest in qualifying, has Stevie Smith now become the favourite? We would say it is still too close to call.

It wasn’t just the Steve and Gee show though, there were plenty of other plots running through the day. Crashes being one of the biggest sub plots, Greg Minnaar is definitely out, Sam Hill broke the timingA�beam during qualifying but didn’t do a run so he can compete in finals but it doesn’t seem likely, Danny Hart had an over the bars experience as he was trying a new line, unfortunately he has hurt his hands and also appears he is out. The overall positions from 3rd down becomes even more wide open.

A season ending moment for Danny Hart, over the bars into the rocks cutting up his hands and yes he was wearing gloves!
Possibly a season ending moment for Danny Hart, over the bars into the rocks cutting up his hands and yes he was wearing gloves!
For a 'bike park' track there were plenty of people having moments all the way down the course.
For a ‘bike park’ track there were plenty of people having moments all the way down the course.

Looking at qualifying times and results revealed the following;

1. Stevie Smith 3.30.029

2. Mic Hannah 3.31.242 + 1.213

3. Gee Atherton 3.31.292 + 1.263

4. Loic Bruni 3.31.964 + 1.935

5. Sam Blenkinsop 3.33.279 + 3.250

…

6. Troy Brosnan 3.34.054 + 4.025

13. Connor Fearon 3.38.017 + 7.988

50. Jack Moir 3.43.618 + 13.589

69. David McMillan 3.46.616 + 16.587

121. Sean McCarroll 3.57.681 + 27.652

DNF. Sam Hill (protected rider still qualifies for final).

Troy Brosnan claims 6th during qualifying and is one of the riders in a real battle to improve their overall position as injuries mean others won't be racing.
Troy Brosnan claims 6th during qualifying and is one of the riders in a real battle to improve their overall position as injuries mean others won’t be racing.

Of course we are watching juniors with just as much interest to see if Dean Lucas can bring the Junior Overall World Cup trophy back home to Australia. A strong qualifier in third means it will come down to finals, Australia is cheering for you Dean!

Fastest junior qualifier, Noel Niederberger, on course. Only once the final junior is down will the overall result be known!
Fastest junior qualifier, Noel Niederberger, on course. Only once the final junior is down will the overall result be known!
Third in qualifying, Dean has raced this course last year for World Champs so he knows what needs to happen and where.
Third in qualifying, Dean has raced this course last year for World Champs so he knows what needs to happen and where.

Of course there is also a race for the women’s title too! Rachel Atherton has to finish in the top 14 if second place rider Emmeline Ragot wins to secure the overall.

There is a lot of pressure in the Atherton camp as both Gee and Rachel are fighting for the overall.
There is a lot of pressure in the Atherton camp as both Gee and Rachel are fighting for the overall.
Tracey Hannah taking care of business in the rock garden, a solid qualifier in 9th, expect more come finals though.
Tracey Hannah taking care of business in the rock garden, a solid qualifier in 9th, expect more come finals though.
Yeah Connor! 13th place in qualifying for Mr Fearon, a top 20 finish here would be a great finish to the season for him.
Yeah Connor! 13th place in qualifying for Mr Fearon, a top 20 finish here would be a great finish to the season for him.

The final race of the season has all the trademarks of being an epic blockbuster, not long until we find out now! Check back soon.

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World Cup 6 – Leogang – Practice Day 1

Back in the mountains proper, there is no shortage of views to be had all the way down the track. As always with the mountainous venues we go to the weather can change in an instant.
Back in the mountains proper, there is no shortage of views to be had all the way down the track. As always with all the mountainous venues we go to the weather can change in an instant.

Here we go, the final World Cup for 2013. We are back in Leogang, Austria – the host of the 2012 World Championships, to a track that hasn’t changed much from last years race. The big focus will be on the battle for the overall World Cup title between Gee Atherton, who is leading the series by just 17 points and Stevie Smith. We expect it to be close, real close, this is track isn’t the most technical and we expect racing to be tight. The top part of the track features plenty ofA�’bike park’ moments – well it is a bike park! So hardpack surfaces, big wooden berms, and jumps that need to be squashed as the riders are going way too fast. Other notable features on the track include some big jumps mid way down, a few rock gardens and a huge shoot into theA�finish line! To give you some idea of the overall nature of the track Stevie Smith has his World Champs bike primed and ready if he feels the need for it.

Tracey Hannah railing one of the wooden features on the track.
Tracey Hannah railing one of the wooden features on the track.

A few strange events have already occurred this weekend, none related to what the riders have been doing! First of all there is no timed practice as the schedule couldn’t fit it in?! The organisers appear to be flat out as there is still some work going on/near the track as riders are practicing, this is common occurrence but here we are seeing chainsaws clearing branches, etc for the cameras.

The other Hannah, Mic rails the same corner, with his form of late Mic has to be a real contender here in Austria.
The other Hannah, Mic rails the same corner, with his form of late Mic has to be a real contender here in Austria.

Back to the riding though and some pretty big news floating around the pits that Sam Hill and Greg Minnaar may have both crashed hard enough to rule themselves out of the race, we didn’t see it but if this is the case the overall will really open up with these two out of contention – more news as we get it.

Sam Hill was looking good on track, currently sitting 5th overall word around the pits is he (and Greg Minnaar who is 3rd overall) may have suffered knee injuries.
Sam Hill was looking good on track, currently sitting 5th overall word around the pits is he (and Greg Minnaar who is 3rd overall) may have suffered knee injuries.
Talking about injuries, Leogang hasn't been kind to Troy Brosnan over the past few years but he is going to make a mends of that this weekend.
Talking about injuries, Leogang hasn’t been kind to Troy Brosnan over the past few years but he is going to make a mends of that this weekend.

An interesting few days lie ahead, already there has been a lot of action, check back soon.

That view! Distracting for everyone, well hopefully not the riders!
That view! Distracting for everyone, well hopefully not the riders!

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World Cup 5 – Hafjell – Finals

Sunday came and the weather showed up. What an epic day of racing, did anyone see that coming? As the end of the season nears and points become crucial, the weather really threw a spanner in the works for some. Another amazing world cup race, here’s our account. Enjoy, and try not to get mud on you!

Sik Mik living up to the name here through the mud and rocks. An unfortunate race run for him, an error sent him off-track, and into 28th place. In such wet conditions the track had its way with the riders.
Sik Mik living up to the name here through the mud and rocks. An unfortunate race run for him, an error sent him off-track, and into 28th place. In such wet conditions the track really had its way with the riders.
Stevie on the gas, he has shown up and performed once again to take the win - taking the World Cup overall isn't out of reach.
Stevie on the gas, he has shown up and performed once again to take the win – taking the World Cup overall isn’t out of reach; Gee’s got some ground to make up with only 17 points between them! Austria is going to be a big race for everyone!
Rachel Atherton had some sketchy moments through the ankle-deep rutted mud in steep forest sections, but here she looks natural and confident. A solid run for Rachel to take 1st place.
Rachel Atherton had some sketchy moments through the ankle-deep rutted mud in steep forest sections, but here she looks natural and confident. A solid run for Rachel to take 1st place. We bet underneath all that mud there’s a huge grin and wide eyes!
Tracey Hannah went well with 7th place, holding it together with a fast, edgey run. This has got to be a confidence booster for next weekend!
Tracey Hannah went well with 7th place, holding it together with a fast, edgy run. That’s got to be a confidence booster for next weekend!
Connor Fearon had some serious rain during his run, which left a dampness to his weekend. Next weekend is a chance to end the season on a high note, Aussie support is super important right now!
Connor Fearon had some serious rain during his run, which left a dampness to his weekend. Next weekend is a chance to end the season on a high note – Aussie Aussie Aussie!
Troy Brosnan screaming through here, out of the wood section and onward to 10th place, and the best-placed Aussie in Mens ahead of Sam Hill in 15th.
Oi! Oi! Oi! Troy Brosnan screaming through the frame, out of the wood section and onward to 10th place, and the best-placed Aussie in Mens ahead of Sam Hill in 15th. Troy has been up there all season, what will the final round bring?

A tough race for the Aussies I guess you could say we don’t like riding in the wet; “your bike gets muddy” Sam Hill, Schladming 2008. That’s a pretty good assessment.

Here’s how the Elite Men lined up at the bottom in Norway:

Mens Finals:

1. Stevie Smith 3.40.174

2. Danny Hart 3.41.815 + 0.110

3. Andrew Neethling 3.42.957 + 1.837

4. Samuel Blekinsop 3.44.039 + 2.527

5. Greg Minnaar 3.44.163 +2.594

a��

10. Troy Brosnan 3.47.544 + 3.251

15. Sam Hill 3.49.926 + 4.904

28. Michael Hannah 3.54.323 + 14.720

29. Jack Moir 3.55.102 + 16.370

39. Connor Fearon A�3.57.916 + 18.994

 

UK rider Michael Jones took the Junior Men's title by a comfortable 3 seconds. Amongst the carnage and mud he held it together and it paid off.
UK rider Michael Jones took the Junior Men’s title by a comfortable 3 seconds. Amongst the carnage and mud he held it together and it paid off.
Dean Lucas came in 29th place, keeping it together and dirtying up the Aussie kit. Dean will be out there for the win next week in Leogang, more exciting racing action!
Dean Lucas came in 29th place, keeping it together and dirtying up the Aussie kit. Dean will be out there for the win next week in Leogang, more exciting racing action!

Will the weather have a say in deciding the World Cup Champion? We’ll catch you in Leogang, Austria to find out. Stay tuned!

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World Cup 5 – Hafjell – Practice Day 2

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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