World Cup 5 – Hafjell – Qualifying

A fresh set of stripes for the newly crowned World Champ, Rachel Atherton put down a strong display in qualifying to take first place by just under a second. Emmeline Ragot and her 27.5" wheeled Lapierre right behind her! — A fresh set of stripes for the newly crowned World Champ, Rachel Atherton put down a strong display in qualifying to take first place by just under a second. Emmeline Ragot and her 27.5″ wheeled Lapierre right behind her!

Well qualifying here in Norway has revealed a super tight field with the top 10 being separated by less than 5 seconds! In the end it was another dominant performance by the Athertons with Gee and Rachel sitting atop of their respective classes.

The man to beat in the World Cup series this year, Gee Atherton, took the fastest qualifying spot by just over 0.1 seconds, he will have to throw down faster come Sunday to keep the rest of the pack from bettering him.

Mens Qualifying:

1. Gee Atherton 3.30.051

2. Mik Hannah 3.30.161 + 0.110

3. Loic Bruni 3.31.888 + 1.837

4. Greg Minnaar 3.32.578 + 2.527

5. Stevie Smith 3.32.645 +2.594

…

6. Troy Brosnan 3.33.302 + 3.251

10. Sam Hill 3.34.955 + 4.904

43. Jack Moir 3.44.771 + 14.720

55. Connor Fearon 3.46.421 + 16.370

72. David McMillan A�3.49.045 + 18.994

99. Chris Kovarik 3.56.466 + 26.415

101. Sean McCarroll 3.56.901 + 26.850

Three Aussies in the top 10 is always good! Loic Bruni looks like he is really stepping it up for third, will he come through on race day? Jack Moir continues to impress, this time with a 43rd. We know Connor Fearon doesn’t rate this as his favourite track, struggling to find his flow on it and stoked to see David McMillan sneak into the top 80 in 72nd place.

Frustrating wouldn't even begin to explain what Chris Kovarik would be feeling when he punctured near the bottom of the course, missing qualifying by 19 places. His partner in crime, Claire Buchar, qualified 8th in the woman's field. — Frustrating wouldn’t even begin to explain what Chris Kovarik would be feeling when he punctured near the bottom of the course, missing qualifying by 19 places. His partner in crime, Claire Buchar, qualified 8th in the woman’s field.

Mic Hannah is knocking on the door of a win, second in qualifying and looking strong.

Australia’s sole female competitor, Tracey Hannah qualified 5th after missing this round last year due to injury, she would be expecting a podium this week and we all know she is capable of doing so!

Just like brother Mic, Tracey Hannah is looking stron on course too, fifth in qualifying should set her up nicely for a podium this weekend. — Just like brother Mic, Tracey Hannah is looking strong on course too, fifth in qualifying should set her up nicely for a podium this weekend.

Junior men saw Dean Lucas, who is battling for the overall, qualify 9th 7.944 seconds back and Luke Ellison had a shocking run coming in last in 42nd place but he qualifies to line up for finals come Sunday.

Dean Lucas on the hunt, he wants that junior overall jersey!

Sam Hill clearly impressing a few spectators on what is really the only new section on the course - a jump over the cross country track! — Sam Hill clearly impressing a few spectators on what is really the only new section on the course – a jump over the cross country track!

So what’s left now? A few more training sessions then race day! Check back soon.

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September 14, 2013

World Cup 5 – Hafjell – Practice Day 1

First day of practice and riders were throwing down the style! This isn't Brendan Fairclough as first impressions may suggest rather Zakarias Blom Johansen... Can't saw we had heard of him either but with style like this who cares! — First day of practice and riders were throwing down the style! This isn’t Brendan Fairclough as first impressions may suggest rather Zakarias Blom Johansen… Can’t saw we had heard of him either but with style like this who cares!

Round 5 of the World Cups and we are off to Norway, more specificallyA�the bike park of Hafjell (pronounced huff-yell incase you are wondering!). We first saw the track on the calendar last year as it had the honour of hosting the final World Cup of 2012. You will probably remember the big jumps up near the top which saw riders throwing down big whips, well guess what? Not much has changed!

Sik Mik gets his whip on! Getting up to speed quickly Mik was gapping a few of the more extreme lines in the rock gardens that littered the course. A few crashes were maybe a hangover from World Champs excitement but nothing major for the silver medalist! — Sik Mik gets his whip on! Getting up to speed quickly, Mik was gapping a few of the more extreme lines in the rock gardens that littered the course. A few crashes during practice were maybe a hangover from World Champs excitement but nothing major for the silver medalist!

So the track here is in a bike park but it has all the A�big berms and cool jumps of bike parks you find the world over but to ensure it is World Cup spec there are multiple rock gardens that caught plenty of riders out during practice. Riders are saying it is one of the most fun courses on the calendar.

With his amazing World Cup season so far Gee Atherton has put his disappointing (by his standards anyway) World Champs result behind him and wants to make a mends here in Norway.

Timed practice showed Gee was up to speed early with last years winner Stevie Smith hot on his heels, followed closely by Mik Hannah, always hard to tell from timed practice exactlyA�how much everyone put in but don’t be surprised if it is one of these three is on the top step comeA�Sunday.

It is not just the guys throwing down on the jumps! Emmiline Ragot mixing it up with the boys, interesting that some of the Lapierre team are still running the 650B bikes as per their Worlds set up. Clearly they believe this is the future and the advantage is there. — It is not just the guys throwing down on the jumps! Emmeline Ragot mixing it up with the boys, interesting that some of the Lapierre team are still running the 650B bikes as per their Worlds set up. Clearly they believe this is the future and the advantage is there.

Bit of a surprise to see Kovarik Racing make the trek out from their current Whistler base to race this round but you know this track should suitA�Chris well though.

Not afraid to jump and not afraid of rocks, that pretty much ticks of a lot of the track here in Norway, always a dark horse you never know with Chris Kovarik.

And another rider throwing down the style, yes there is more to the track then just the top jumps! Tune back soon for more action.

We will leave it there for now, check back soon for more Norway action!

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September 13, 2013

World Champs – South Africa – Elite Finals

Pietermaritzburg went off with a bang, full unexpected twists – like Sam Hill’s unfortunate crash and Mitch Ropelato losing it in the first turn on the 29er. The Aussie contingent continued to put pressure on the competition throughout the weekend, but Greg Minaar was too quick on home soil, scorching down the track and slipping in under Sik Mik’s nose. With a unique track came unique bike setups (for a Downhill World Cup); from 26″ to 29″, and single crown to full-blown DH double crowns. Tradition still stands proud, however, as the fastest on the day were 26ers!

So close to taking the win; stolen by three-tenths of a second. Sik Mik threw down with speed and style in his race run. A contender all season, Mik has the power and determination, can he pull it off as the cup comes to a close?

Aussies littered the podiums in Pietermaritzburg, Hannah and Graves here sharing the moment of triumph with Greg Minaar.

The man of the hour (if you say it quickly it sounds like "Minaar" ), doing what every downhill racer dreams of - pulling off the win at home, amongst friends, family and a familiar crowd. Wheel, track and other debate aside, there's not much better way to describe this than 'Yewww!' — The man of the hour (if you say it quickly it sounds like “Minaar” ), doing what every downhill racer dreams of – pulling off the win at home, amongst friends, family and a familiar crowd. Wheel, track and other debate aside, there’s not much better way to describe this than ‘Yewww!’

A heavy crash out of the lower rock garden left Sam looking a little worse for wear. Unlucky this time, he'll surely be back, even more determined next time. — A heavy crash out of the lower rock garden left Sam looking a little worse for wear. Unlucky this time, he’ll surely be back, even more determined next time.

Jared Graves, riding his hot topic single crowns into 3rd place. After a lot of focus on his Enduro racing this season, Graves has got to be happy with the result.

The Hannah couple have had a great season on Polygon Bicycles, and as the excitement for the last two World Cup rounds builds, so will the anticipation to see how Tracey and Sik Mik go. Here Tracey performs a fly-by with some serious style.

South Africa gave us a unique podium, showing off the cultural side of the event. While it's all about the racing usually, sometimes it's nice to stop and take in the surroundings. After all, the world cup is held in some incredible places. Winners are grinners..! — South Africa gave us a unique podium, showing off the cultural side of the event. While it’s all about the racing usually, sometimes it’s nice to stop and take in the surroundings. After all, the world cup is held in some incredible places. Winners are grinners..!

An emotional finale to the World Champs weekend for Minaar, certainly another big notch on his belt. It's this exact moment that all the hours, pain, sweat and training pay off tenfold. — An emotional finale to the World Champs weekend for Minaar, certainly another big notch on his belt. It’s this exact moment that all the hours, pain, sweat and training pay off tenfold.

Pietermaritzburg might be over for another year, but our coverage of the World Cup isn’t. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to get the latest, wherever you are. More World Cup news coming soon from Hafjell, Norway!

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September 2, 2013

World Champs – South Africa – Junior Finals

The first downhill medals have been given out in South Africa! It was fantastic to see Australia on the podium twice.

What a day here in South Africa, the Juniors had their runs to determine who take the crown of Junior World Champ, if you were in Australia watching the UCI’s live timing we bet a white screen has never been so exciting! The atmosphere was slightly different in South Africa, there was a lot of nerves but being a Friday the crowd numbers weren’t as high as if it were a weekend.

It was the Junior Females who started proceedings off and Tahnee Seagrave followed up her silver medal from last year to take the win this year. For Australia it was Danielle Beecroft in second and Tegan Molloy in third.

After the Junior Female class it was time for Junior Males, there would be around 50 riders all trying to claim the stripes, with Australia fielding such a large team we had riders set off early and this saw the likes of Ben Hill taking the hot seat early on. Fortunately mechanicals or crashes didn’t factor into the results, all the Aussies got down without succumbing to anything other than dust and having to pedal flat out!

Luke Ellison powering on, a top 10 at the first split before finishing 26th by the end. Luke will be the first to admit fitness plays a definite part on this track as all the riders are experiencing!

As we got to the pointy end of proceedings it was Noel Niederberger from Switzerland in the hot seat, Noel had been riding well all year in the World Cups and looked to have put in the time to beat. Thomas Crimmins came down and just missed out on the top spot, finishing a super strong 8th place. Dean Lucas was on course andA�all the AustraliansA�really got nervous, Dean was just down at the first split, by less than half a second, we knew how bad Dean wanted this so there was no reason to be concerned about that time gap. As Dean powered to the line he went into second place, with a few riders still to come it was now no longer up to Dean to determine his final position. Three more riders would determine Dean’s position, on any given day any of these riders could take the victory, Michael Jones from Great Britain just bested Noels time. Fastest rider during timed practice Loris Vergier put nearly two seconds into Michael’s time, showing his fastest practice run was no fluke. There was only one rider left on the hill, Richie Rude Jr, all year Richie has been competing at the World Cups but in the Elite class so everyone knew he was going to be the one to watch our for. Last year he finished second to Loic Bruni but this year he put in an amazing run to take the victory. From the first split everyone knew it would take a mechanical or a crash to stop him, he went on to power home by over five and a half seconds! The track suiting the big powerhouse from the USA and pushing Dean into fifth place.

Dean Lucas was a blur! He has been riding fast all week, all year in fact and was rewarded with a solid 5th place.

Richie Rude has been on a mission since his second place last year, he is a big kid and used this to his advantage here in South Africa. The stars and stripes knock up there first gravity medal for the campaign, will they get anymore?

The top three juniors, not sure what is going on with the odd socks or the fact the winners' jersey looks a little small! — The top three juniors, not sure what is going on with the odd socks or the fact the winners’ jersey looks a little small!

Junior Female:

2. Danielle Beecroft + 7.512

3. Tegan Molloy + 19.448

Junior Male:

5. Dean Lucas + 8.908

8. Thomas Crimmins + 14.101

16. Aiden Varley

17. Peter Knott

24. Ben Hill

26. Luke Ellison

28. Brent Smith

Of course there was also practice for the Elite guys going on, the big news from South Africa is the weather has drastically changed, getting a lot cooler and the threat of rain now looks real.

You spin me right round... The Elite guys and gals were practicing in cooler conditions, with the possibility of rain overnight. — You spin me right round… The Elite guys and gals were practicing in cooler conditions, with the possibility of rain overnight.

There are two half an hour practice sessions (yes half an hour!) sessions left before finals on Sunday, the weather may have the biggest say in the results we will just have to wait and see!

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August 31, 2013

World Champs – South Africa – Junior Timed Practice/Elite Practice

Things are getting serious now, first off the big boys and girls of the Elite world came out to play for their practice session early this morning, 8am early! Sam Hill doing his thing.

Today the business end of the week started to kick into gear, Elite riders were out on course and Juniors had their timed practice runs. It is still going to be a bit unusual having the Junior Champs decided days before Elite but it potentially means more excitement! No change in the track conditions, the weather is still warm, wind whipping across the jumps is the biggest issue. 40 foot jumps and cross winds don’t mix… Many of the riders are checking this before they hit them because a crash hereA�could see you out for the weekend.

Talking about jumps riders are still getting plenty of height, we even got the ruler out to confirm!

Timed practice for the Juniors was where the attention was focused, no real surprises with the top riders all there, Australians were well represented with Dean Lucas 4th and Thomas Crimmins 7th. Tomorrow is the real important one though.

It is always hard to gauge timed practice as you don't quite know how hard each rider has gone and no one is going to talk up how hard they tried! It was French Junior - Loris Vergier who was on the top spot. — It is always hard to gauge timed practice as you don’t quite know how hard each rider has gone and no one is going to talk up how hard they tried! It was French Junior – Loris Vergier who was on the top spot.

It is still a little strange seeing single crowns on Jared Graves race bike! He has admitted the bike is costing him time in some places, proving it is not a full roadie track, but that he can make up for that in other areas with the bike. Interesting to see what happens race day, will the gamble pay off?

A lot of the action here in South Africa isn't taking place on the ground! Truth be told it is the jumps that are the big 'feature' of the track. — A lot of the action here in South Africa isn’t taking place on the ground! Truth be told it is the jumps that are the big ‘feature’ of the track.

Tomorrow is the day of the Juniors, check back as we fill you in with all the inside info!

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August 30, 2013

World Champs – South Africa – Junior Practice Day 2

As excitement builds for what lies ahead, Wednesday practice went ahead for juniors, including our Aussie contingent. The hardpacked, dry track won’t change dramatically between now and race day (unless the weather does), it’s time for riders to lock in their lines and get their head in the game. We’ve also seen a number of custom rigs for certain riders, notably Steve Smith on a prototype Devinci and the CRC/Nukeproof team on “country specific custom” rides. What will this mean come racing? All we can say is, these riders wouldn’t be doing it if they weren’t onto something. Lets see where this goes…

Florent Payet — A welcome change after the wet weather in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Pietermaritzburg’s predictable surface lets riders really open up. Here Luke Ellison sends his way down the mountain. After placing 2nd in the National Series, Luke has good opportunity here in South Africa.

Brent Smith, focused through the iconic lower section of the track. On a fast, dry track our Aussie riders are at home, which is an advantage come racing on Friday (Juniors only).

Caroline Buchanan is in a good position coming into to the event. Consistently performing in BMX racing, and now presented with a fitness-intensive trail…
We’re on the edge of our seat!

rockslq — Tegan Molloy and Danielle Beecroft are proudly running Australian Jerseys in the Junior Women’s class this weekend. Pictured, Tegan attacks a rocky section. It’s clear why the World Cup comes back each year to Pietermaritzburg, it’s a tough trail that tests endurance and pushes riders to their limits in speed and technique.

Tasmanian rider Ben Hill steezing it up on the Rocky Mountain Flatline. While downhill racing is a serious affair come race day, we know all riders all do it for the same reason: FUN. And what's more fun than a big whip? — Tasmanian rider Ben Hill steezing it up on the Rocky Mountain Flatline. While downhill racing is a serious affair come race day, we know all riders all do it for the same reason: FUN. And what’s more fun than a big whip?

Stay tuned for updates from Pietermaritzburg World Championships 2013.

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August 29, 2013