World Championships, Hafjell – Timed Practice

Another beautiful day in Norway. The day was much clearer then yesterday.

Today was a short day, practice was very minimal across all classes and seniors got a timed practiced run to give them some gauge of their speed on the track. Alternatively not all riders chose to do their timed run at full pace or even near their race speed which always means you have to take the rimes with a pinch of salt! First of all back to practice, in fact back to yesterday, there was some unfortunate news AustralianA�Matt McCorkell won’t be competing in this years race due to his crash but we wish him all the best on his recovery! On that rather down note it was also sad to see Emeline Ragot walking down the track during practice, her bike being wheeled, a crash higher up the course resulted in an injury to her wrist that saw it plastered up!

For those that made it through practice it leaves a long gap between the end of practice and tomorrows racing (there is a short practice session beforehand). Nothing like a long period of time to get the nerves going... — For those that made it through practice it leaves a long gap between the end of practice and tomorrows racing (there is a short practice session beforehand). Nothing like a long period of time to get the nerves going…

It was the females who drew the short straw and had the early training session, half an hour from 7am!

It meant everyone was still a little blurry eyed!

Fortunately Tegan Molloy is still in the junior category so she got more of a sleep in!

It was timed practice for the senior guys and girls after the short morning practice, both were topped by the reigning champions, Rachel Atherton and Greg Minnaar. As we said earlier though it can’t be considered a definitive indication of everyone’s pace, Aron Gwin for example was 24th but we expect that to improve on race day.

Senior Women

1. ATHERTON Rachel 3:53.538

2. CARPENTER Manon 3:57.266 +3.728

3. NICOLE Myriam 3:57.480 +3.942

4. SEAGRAVE Tahnee 4:02.651 +9.113

5. KINTNER Jill 4:04.220 +10.682

…

7.A�HANNAH TraceyA�4:08.557 +15.019

Senior Men

1. MINNAAR Greg 3:27.399

2. HART Danny 3:28.214 +0.815

3. ATHERTON Gee 3:28.279 +0.880

4. BRANNIGAN George 3:28.981 +1.582

5. BROSNAN Troy 3:29.621 +2.222

…

6.A�HILL SamuelA�3:29.899 +2.500

11. ATKINSON Bryn A�3:31.494 +4.095

15. FEARON ConnorA�3:32.904 +5.505

23.A�HANNAH MichaelA�3:35.248 +7.849

25.A�MOIR JackA�3:35.778 +8.379

27.A�MUDD GraemeA�3:36.065 +8.666

Fastest during tied practice was reigning champion Greg Minnaar!

George Brannigan was in 4th, definitely flying under the radar for a low of people!

9th for Josh Bryceland who is a favourite for the win according to a lot of people.

11th for Bryn Atkinson who is looking comfortable on course.

12th for Brook MacDonald, lifting over the rocks clearly helped!

15th for Connor Fearon who has been doing some runs with Bernard Kerr (Bernard isn't racing here he is course sweep). — 15th for Connor Fearon who has been doing some runs with Bernard Kerr (Bernard isn’t racing here he is course sweep).

17th for the ever reliable Steve Peat who got pulled over in practice earlier this week by Rob Warner to be shown a video about road bikes of all things!

23rd for Mic Hannah, a podium at last years world championships something he is no doubt chasing here.

25th for Jack Moir, seen here practicing with fellow Aussie Graeme Mudd.

27th for Graeme Mudd who achieved qualification after his top 30 result at the Cairns world cup.

In a slightly different move to normal world cups the juniors came after seniors for their training, we spotted lots of ‘helpers’ on the side of the track from different countries all looking to give their juniors the advice that might be the edge to winning!

The rock gardens here are the size of small countries... Andrew Crimmins showing his passport on the way in! — The rock gardens here are the size of small countries… Andrew Crimmins showing his passport on the way in!

Ben Hill just after crashing, it was nothing too serious a cut to his hand but he's tough and will be okay! — Ben Hill just after crashing, it was nothing too serious a cut to his hand but he’s tough and will be okay!

There is only one more day left, the most important one of all! Check back once there are new world champions crowned!

Photos: Jason Stevens Photography and stock images. Facebook:A�www.facebook.com/jasonstevensphotographyA�or follow @jasonstevensphotography on Instagram

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September 7, 2014

World Championships, Hafjell a�� Junior Seeding

Eject now! Some riders may have still been asleep early in the morning, some of the media and marshals were!

Today here in Hafjell we had junior seeding early in the morning before practice for men and women afterwards. It was a day of contrast with Mother Nature showing two distinctly different sides, the early morning junior time slot saw much of the mountain covered in fog before the day evolved into blue sky and sunshine.

Early morning up on the hill was a fog festival!

With junior practice out of the way and no major incidents to report it was onto seeding. Seeding at world championships is not qualifying so therefore it is just an indication of riders speed as long as a rider starts their seeding run they are eligible to race in the finals.

It was the junior females that started off seeding, Australia’s own reigning junior world cup champion Tegan Molloy hit the track first, she seeded third we hope come finals she will move up a few spots and don the rainbows!

The top 5 junior men was made up of some familiar faces, these riders are well known and have been at the pointy end all season.

Junior men seeding

1. Loris Vergier
2. Taylor Vernon
3. Amaury Pierron
4. Martin Maes
5. Luca Shaw

We will have a further look at the junior seeding results and more specifically the Australians.

The highest rider during seeding was Andrew Crimmins in 7th.

Next down the time sheet was Aiden Varley in 13th.

Max Warshawsky was hot on Aiden's heels in 14th. — Max Warshawsky was hot on Aiden’s heels in 14th.

Ben Hill came in 31st place, just outside the top 30.

Ben Dengate negotiating the mist for 33rd place during qualifying.

Jackson Davis in 47th, conditions for the juniors were changing all morning.

Unfortunately Matt McCorkell was a DNF, he crashed literally 10 metres from us during seeding. Initially holding his wrist we hope it is nothing too serious... — Unfortunately Matt McCorkell was a DNF, he crashed literally 10 metres from us during seeding. Initially holding his wrist we hope it is nothing too serious…

With seeding out of the way it left elite practice for the rest of the day, at this stage the cloud started to lift and the sun came out! Most riders took advantage of today’s reasonably long session and notched up the runs. No real big dramas, a few flats, some stand out riders and most of all some crazy riding. The track here in Hafjell (pronounced huff-yell) has a bit of everything, big jumps, corners, fast sections and technical areas, whoever wins on Sunday will be a deserving winner.

As the day progressed the weather improved... — As the day progressed the weather improved…

And this made everyone even happier, photographers included!

It was the women on track first, Casey Brown has style didn't you hear! — It was the women on track first, Casey Brown has style didn’t you hear!

Emily Ragot looking fast, picking a winner for the womens is going to be just as hard as the men!

Tracey Hannah was talking to herself as she went past us at one point, impressive considering the track she was riding on!

Josh Bryceland finished practice early today, so early that he was up walking the track in casuals before practice had even finished!

Gee Atherton is always fast, no matter what the track Hafjell is no different!

All the action wasn't just between the tape, a certain British rider, who isn't racing, was out having fun on his bike! — All the action wasn’t just between the tape, a certain British rider, who isn’t racing, was out having fun on his bike!

Vintage Steve Peat in the rocks and roots.

Danny Hart looking for world championships number 2!

Spot the rider... With plenty of new kits it was a case of figuring out who some riders were! — Spot the rider… With plenty of new kits it was a case of figuring out who some riders were!

Cam Cole, always a dark horse and on the way back from injury.

Aron Gwin has never made it to a finals here in Norway so he is a real unknown come race day.

Aaron's team mate has the support of friends and family from back home here with him this weekend. A lot of racers do, if there is one race where the extra support comes in handy it is worlds. — Aaron’s team mate has the support of friends and family from back home here with him this weekend. A lot of racers do, if there is one race where the extra support comes in handy it is worlds.

One of the nicest guys in mountain biking but also one of the fastest! Marcelo Gutierrez of Colombia.

Connor Fearon was the first rider on track during practice to go past us! No mucking around, quoted as the fastest rider through the rocks gardens by Steve Peat too!

The crowds really like Sam Hill everywhere he goes! Looking fast and on point in the rock garden today.

Brook Macdonald in the sunshine, it is hard to believe this shot was taken the same day only hours apart from the juniors pictures! — Brook MacDonald in the sunshine, it is hard to believe this shot was taken the same day only hours apart from the juniors pictures!

Tomorrow is timed practice, check back for that!

Photos: Jason Stevens Photography and stock images. Facebook:A�www.facebook.com/jasonstevensphotographyA�or follow @jasonstevensphotography on Instagram

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September 6, 2014

World Championships, Hafjell a�� Practice Day 1

What up Norway! The Aussies boys saying hi.

Today was a big day, the morning practice session was filled with juniors and women before we moved onto the men in the afternoon. As we headed up in the gondola early in the morning there was till quite A�a lot of low lying cloud but this eventually disappeared leaving behind a beautiful Norwegian summers’ day! Fortunately there were no big crashes so all the main players are still in the game.

The big jumps at the top of the course were getting suitably styled already on day 1.

Tegan Molloy popping out of one of the super fast turns and looking comfortable.

Tracey Hannah looked comfortable on the big jumps, check out a short video of her we took up on our Instagram now @downhill247.

The Aussie juniors were looking good early on.

Rachel Atherton looked super quick out on track today, she is the only GT rider with a British paint scheme as the other frames weren't ready in time! — Rachel Atherton looked super quick out on track today, she is the only GT rider with a British paint scheme as the other frames weren’t ready in time!

The junior competition is going to be as tight as always, aside from the riders who have been battling all world cup season, such as overall winner Loris Vergier but also young Martin Maes who generally races enduro but has shown he is no slouch on the downhill front. — The junior competition is going to be as tight as always, aside from the riders who have been battling all world cup season, such as overall winner Loris Vergier pictured here but also young Martin Maes who generally races enduro but has shown he is no slouch on the downhill front.

The juniors weren't afraid of putting on some style, Neil Stewart giving her some. — The juniors weren’t afraid of putting on some style, Neil Stewart giving her some.

Neither were the 'old' riders though, Aaron Gwin putting in for the (media) crowd. — Neither were the ‘old’ riders though, Aaron Gwin putting in for the (media) crowd.

'Merica! And proud... — ‘Merica! And proud…

Myriam Nicole heads into the lower part of the course.

Troy Brosnan representing the green and gold.

More green and gold, this time being worn by Connor Fearon.

Green and gold, plus a few other colours! Reigning world champion Greg Minnaar flying the flag for South Africa.

Ratboy - Josh Bryceland sporting some pretty out there colour patterns! — Ratboy – Josh Bryceland sporting some pretty out there colour patterns!

Bryn Atkinson going through the rocks. Bryn was looking super fast across the top section of the track, last time he raced here he was the second fastest rider to split one... — Bryn Atkinson going through the rocks. Bryn was looking super fast across the top section of the track, last time he raced here he was the second fastest rider to split one…

Sam Hill and his gold bike, no doubt he wants some more gold come the end of the weekend.

Brook MacDonald crashed today in the rocks but got up and was okay.

Not the best photo as we weren't expecting it but that white smoke looking substance in the air was this riders rear tyre blowing up as he railed one of the biggest berms on the course at full speed. — Not the best photo as we weren’t expecting it but that white smoke looking substance in the air was this riders rear tyre blowing up as he railed one of the biggest berms on the course at full speed.

Jill Kintner in the early morning sunshine and dust towards the bottom of the track.

Team Lapierre were still riding together despite the fact world championships is more focused around nationalities rather than trade teams.

There’s another big day of practice tomorrow, join us again soon as we bring all that action to you!

Photos: Jason Stevens Photography and stock images. Facebook:A�www.facebook.com/jasonstevensphotographyA�or follow @jasonstevensphotography on Instagram

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September 5, 2014

World Championships, Hafjell – Track Walk

Stereotypical Norway shot, grass on the roofs of houses. In case you're wondering it is cooler in summer and warmer in winter with grass roofs. — Stereotypical Norway shot, grass on the roofs of houses. In case you’re wondering it is cooler in summer and warmer in winter with grass roofs.

Hafjell, Norway, home of the 2014 World Championships and today was track walk day. For most of the elite riders today was pretty standard, especially as they have seen the track before because it has been used for two world cups now. However, a lot of the junior riders have not been here and for them it was their first look at the track. Not a lot has changed since the world cup last year, to be simple we can break down the track into two sections roughly, the top is bike park and the bottom is natural. It’s a good mix though, you won’t hear riders complaining about the overall nature of the track.

Looking up to the start hut across some of the biggest jumps on the circuit, who will be the style champion here?

The bike park corners here mean riders are going to hold speed, as we walked down riders were saying the speeds will be higher than any race here previously, possibly up to 70km/h!

We talked to Wyn as we made our way down the track and he informed us the gentleman who built the bobsled track here had a part in the downhill track as well, hence the luge smooth corners that are banked super high!

Of course the track isn't all just bike park corners and jumps, it has some teeth! The shoes should indicate just how big some of the rocks here are, this one goes well out of the frame of the picture too... — Of course the track isn’t all just bike park corners and jumps, it has some teeth! The shoes should indicate just how big some of the rocks here are, this one goes well out of the frame of the picture too…

G - Spot! This tree decided an overall world cup series, named as Gee Atherton shouldered this tree in the 2013 finals effectively giving Stevie Smith the overall title. — G – Spot! This tree decided an overall world cup series, named as Gee Atherton shouldered this tree in the 2013 finals effectively giving Stevie Smith the overall title.

This wooded section features a mix of rocks and roots, if it rains this will be even more wild!

This is the aptly named 'No Brakes' a high speed left hander out in the open on the grass. — This is the aptly named ‘No Brakes’ a high speed left hander out in the open on the grass.

There is a campaign to keep the Hafjell bike park open as the owners are planning to shut it down which would be a real shame.

Those views... Not that the riders will have much time to be taking them in. — Those views… Not that the riders will have much time to be taking them in.

The first day of practice will be upon us soon, check back soon.

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September 4, 2014

Inside Info: Connor Fearon – Meribel

Meribel was a new World Cup track for the riders and required quite some getting use to.

We check in with Connor Fearon for his last report from World Cups in 2014;

So the World Cup finals where in Meribel, France. I had never been there before nor had I heard much about the track although being a European track there was a high chance of it being a steep “proper” downhill track. Fortunately it was probably the best track of the season! Mainly natural rough terrain with deep dirt, lots of roots and minimal pedalling. I was sitting 25th overall in the points coming into the final race and the points where very close either side, so I could either move up or down the ranks depending how I went in the race. Moving down in the ranks wasn’t something I wanted to do and I’ve had a string of good results so I had high hopes. The first practice day proved the track to be pretty difficult. It had rained the night before and made the track pretty wet so some of the harder sections felt quite slow. Since the track was relatively fresh each run I did on the track there where new lines getting ridden down the whole track. In fact from the first day of practice to my race run I was essentially riding a different track from taking different lines the whole way down. One thing I struggled with on the track was just learning the course. There was a lot to think about and there’s not very much practice at a World Cup. Your qualifying run is probably your 6th or 7th run down the track for the weekend and if it’s a new track like Meribel you’ve never ridden before it makes it even harder.

Qualifying was important for Connor and his chances of moving up in the overall standings.

I had a bit of pressure on me for qualifying because the top 20 qualifiers get points towards the overall which I desperately needed. I had a solid run and qualified 17th. I was still learning the track so I was confident if I walked the track and had good runs in Saturday morning I could improve. Race day rolled around and I felt confident. As far as changes to the bike go I didn’t make many I was using the Maxxis Shorty tyres for the first time at a race, mainly due to half the track was really dry and dusty and half was still wet and muddy. The shorty is a good spike that worked well in both applications. My race run was good I felt like I was to conservative at the top so I let the brakes off a bit to the bottom and had a few close calls but held it together to finish 13th.

Finishing the year in 20th with tow less than ideal races is a great achievement.

Out of the last four races I’ve actually competed In I have had a 9th, 13th, 14th and the worst was a 17th. This is the form I wanted for the whole season but have had some bad luck with a crash at cairns and was sick for Mont St Anne. I finished 20th overall which is great considering my year. Next and finally on the calendar this year is the World Championships in Norway. The track is not my favourite but looking forward to the whole event and finally flying home for the year. Thanks to all that help me Kona Bikes, Fox Head, SRAM, Rockshox, Stans No Tubes, Maxxis, Truvativ, Yakima racks, Jarah Breese/Swift Performance, HT Pedals.

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Photos: Jason Stevens Photography and stock images. Facebook:A�www.facebook.com/jasonstevensphotographyA�or follow @jasonstevensphotography on Instagram

September 2, 2014

World Cup Round 7, Meribel – Pick of the Pics

Straight out of the gate in Meribel and into rocks,crazy French!

Before we head over to Norway for the World Championships we thought we would show you a few more pictures from the Meribel World Cup. Conditions rained from dark and foggy to blue skies and sunshine! For riders and photographers alike this led to some varying challenges… Enjoy.

Casey Brown negotiating the top part of the track.

The track was very photogenic... — The track was very photogenic…

The golden light was pouring through the forest.

Surprise packet of the race, Francisco Pardal.

Gee Atherton has had a quiet by his high standards.

'The Mosser' a drop half way down the track. — ‘The Mosser’ a drop half way down the track.

Line choice for days... — Line choice for days…

Aaron Gwin ended up taking out second overall.

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Photos: Jason Stevens Photography and stock images. Facebook:A�www.facebook.com/jasonstevensphotographyA�or follow @jasonstevensphotography on Instagram

August 28, 2014