Inside Info – 2014 World Cup Season

World cups and the world champs are the pinnacle of our sport. The racing, the tracks, the atmosphere, the teams, the losers and the winners!

Here at Downhill247.com we live for downhill, 24 hours a day 7 days a week! Hence the name Downhill247 in case you didn’t know…. So for us world cup races are a massively exciting time for us. We thought we would give you a run down on what to expect from us this year. It is exciting for us to announce Jason Stevens Photography will be on board providing a range of images for your viewing pleasure, those familiar with the site will know how high quality his work is and we can’t wait to see what he produces overseas this year.

So what else is happening for 2014? Well as usual our resident world cup racer, Connor ‘Mr Worldwide’ Fearon is back on board providing his usual run down of his race experience. With a good off season under his belt we are keen to see him move up the ranks of the results and ensure he is right at the pointy end of the field.

We are quietly excited to see what Connor can do this year at the World Cups, remembering last year he cracked a top 10 at Leogang.

We actually have another big announcement but we will keeping that under wraps for just a moment longer….

Let’s have a look at how the 2014 season is going to shape up, obviously the big news is the return of the world’s best riders to Australia, we last saw them in 2009 at the world championships in Canberra. Cairns in the far north of the country gets round 2 of the downhill after riders head to South Africa for round 1.

2014 Season:

From	To	Name	Venue	Class	Country
24.04.2014	27.04.2014	UCI World Cup XCO / XCE / DHI	Cairns	CDM	AUS
07.06.2014	08.06.2014	UCI World Cup DHI	Fort William	CDM	GBR
14.06.2014	15.06.2014	UCI World Cup DHI	Leogang	CDM	AUT
31.07.2014	03.08.2014	UCI World Cup XCO / XCE / DHI	Mont-Sainte-Anne	CDM	CAN
07.08.2014	10.08.2014	UCI World Cup XCO / XCE / DHI	Windham	CDM	USA
21.08.2014	24.08.2014	UCI World Cup XCO / XCE / DHI	MA�ribel	CDM	FRA
02.09.2014	07.09.2014	UCI XCO/XCE/XCR/DHI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS	Hafjell	CM	NOR

Interestingly enough for the rest of the world Cairns will be one of the great unknowns, as overseas riders won’t be sure what to expect. At least most Australians will have an idea of the unique dirt in the area and being a home race it allows us to enter an additional number of juniors, as well as local wildcard riders, for the race.

For the other rounds it is the French round of Meribel that will see riders nervous with what to expect. Fortunately the area has held quite a lot of French national races and is rumored to be quite a technical course.

Exciting times ahead, make sure you check back for our big announcement soon.

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March 23, 2014

Australian National Junior Team

World Champs is the pinnacle of our sport and to represent your country is an immense honour!

Now that the Australian national series, championships and Oceanias have been run and won MTBA have announced the Australian national junior team for 2014. Heading over toA�Hafjell, Norway, A�from the 2ndA�to the 7thA�September 2014 to represent OZ are a fine crop of young riders!

No real surprises in the list as below, congratulations to all those that made it and as usual Downhill247.com will be bringing you all the action!;

Junior Men a�� National Team (Downhill – DHI)

Andrew Crimmins (NSW)

Ben Hill (TAS)

Aiden Varley (VIC)

Max Warshawsky (QLD)

Matthew McCorkell (ACT)

Jackson Davies (VIC)

Ben Dengate (ACT)

Junior WomenA�a�� National Team (DHI)

Tegan Molloy (NSW)

MTBA – Junior Development Squad – 2014

Development Squad (DHI)

Ellie Wale (VIC)

Dan Booker (TAS)

Joel Willis (NSW)

Dru Berryman (VIC)

March 21, 2014

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!

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 3^rdso 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 13^th 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.

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 10^th 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 25^th) 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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September 25, 2013

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.

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!

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.

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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September 23, 2013

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!

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!

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.

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.

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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September 22, 2013

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.

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.

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.

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!

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September 21, 2013