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!

Or on Instagram @downhill247

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!

Or on Instagram @downhill247

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.

In the meantime, check out our instagram page: @Downhill247

August 29, 2013

World Champs – South Africa – Junior Practice Day 1

Here we go, hard to believe it is World Champs time again! A dry, dusty South African track will determine who gets the stripes.

The biggest race on the calendar, the World Championships, is upon us, this year we travel to Pietermaritzburg (there is a mouthful for you!) in South Africa. A track that has been used for World Cups previously and just happens to be Greg Minnaar’s home track…

There's no denying big jumps and pedaling are two of the defining features of this track. Here Danielle Beecroft sends it during the first day of practice. — There’s no denying big jumps and pedaling are two of the defining features of this track. Here Danielle Beecroft sends it during the first day of practice.

There isA�a different schedule for the World Champs compared to a regular World Cup, the Juniors will race on Friday, a full two days before the Elite riders on Sunday. What’s more is there are some practice sessions which are only half an hour long, that means riders will have to be on it to make the most of their time, get a mechanical or have a crash and you will have to wait until the next practice session (if there is one).

Throwing down the horns! It was good to see the Aussie contingent relaxed as they sorted out the track during practice.

We spotted a lot of interesting things trackside today... — We spotted a lot of interesting things trackside today…

It was good to see Tracey Hannah back amongst it, a horror run of injuries lately has meant her preparation for this race has been less than ideal but remember this is where she won her comeback World Cup!

Another one of our Aussie girls in the mix, Caroline Buchanan who just won gold over in New Zealand at the BMX World Champs. She, along with a few others was settling into South Africa with a safari, why not?!

Talking about settling, that is something that the dust has to do on the course, it hangs in the air making it quite difficult for riders to breath, especially on this lung busting track!

Railing! Check out the look in Peter Knott's eyes, pin it to win it son! — Railing! Check out the look in Peter Knott’s eyes, pin it to win it son!

So with that we start our coverage of the 2013 World Championships, join us as we cheer on the Aussies every step of the way, it is going to be a good week!

August 28, 2013

Race Day

Ever read a downhill related poem? Nope we struggle to think of one too, so here is something a bit different for you! While it is definitely not going to win the Montreal International Poetry Award (that is the most valuable poetry prize in monetary value going around, 50,000 Canadian dollars valuableA�to be exact!) but if you are a racer we think you will relate to this and it will give you a grin! Enjoy.

August 21, 2013

World Cup 4 – Mont Sainte Anne – Finals

The 2013 World Cup Season seems to have clicked up a notch every round. With ever-growing in intensity of crowds, weather, hype and action, Mont Saint Anne was no exception. Wild weather seemed to hang eerily over the Canadian resort throughout the four day event, only adding to the drama come race day. — The 2013 World Cup Season seems to have clicked up a notch every round. With an ever-growing intensity of crowds, weather, hype and action, Mont Saint Anne was no exception. Wild weather seemed to hang eerily over the Canadian resort throughout the four day event, only adding to the drama come race day. Here Stevie Smith has the finish in sight, powering in for the win.

For many Australian fans this was one early Monday morning to look forward to; a 5am start with the Top 10 Women’s DHI streamed on Red Bull TV. While Rachel Atherton has dominated the series so far, and qualified first, an error at the top of the course and a crash in the lower wooded section cost her vital time, and landed her in 12th place. Emmiline Ragot came away with the win by 4 seconds with a fast, clean run ahead of Manon Carpenter and Floriane Pugin.

Emmiline Ragot took the win with style, and with Junior Men's teammate Loris Vergier taking 1st too, it was a great day for Team Lappiere on the mountain. — Emmiline Ragot took the win with style, and with Junior Men’s teammate Loris Vergier taking 1st too,
it was a great day for the Lapierre Gravity Republic team on the mountain.

As the Men’s race runs got underway, mechanicals and punctures littered the field, and even an unlucky broken wheel for ‘not Peaty’ Josh Bryceland. South African Andrew Neethling still held the hot seat with a time of 4:02:984, which held well into the Top 30, until Gee Atherton stormed through for the final dry run of the day with a 3:59:389. Then the sky opened up to make things interesting. It wasn’t long before the open areas were getting slick, slowing riders down in the top section and seemingly securing the win for Gee.

troy fulllq — After proving his worth in previous years as a Junior, Troy Brosnan has his foot firmly in the door, placing pressure on the world’s fastest and doing Australia proud. After qualifying 7th, Troy laid down a solid performance in his race run, but the change in conditions slowed the whole group down.

After a solid weekend of practice, and confidence coming into the event, Dean Lucas took a close second in Junior Mens, three hundredths of a second behind Loris Vergier. It’s easy to believe the future of Australian World Cup downhill is in safe hands watching these young guns ride!

There's no doubt there was hearts in mouths when Sam Hill stepped up to the start. After his mythical performance at Champery in 2007, and his building performance throughout his first season back from injury, it was very plausible that he could steal the win from under Gee's nose. Once again the wet weather stood its ground, but Sam put up a good fight to claim 3rd. And the words on Australia's lips are "one of these days..." — There’s no doubt that there were hearts in mouths when Sam Hill stepped up to the start. After his mythical performance at Champery in 2007, and his building performance throughout his first season back from injury, it was very plausible that he could steal the win from under Gee’s nose. Once again the wet weather stood its ground, but Sam put up a good fight to claim 3rd. And the words on Australia’s lips are “one of these days…”

As Stevie Smith hit the track the home crowd roared; as if they'd been silent all day. As he made his way down the mountain, with obvious speed and endless style, commentator Rob Warner took us back to Champery 2011, and got the Downhill world's hearts pumping. — As Stevie Smith hit the track the home crowd roared; they roared as if they’d been silent all day. As he made his way down the mountain, with obvious speed and endless style, commentator Rob Warner took us back to Champery 2011, and got the Downhill world’s hearts pumping as Stevie came in with a time of 3:58:485 and the win.

The grin of a well deserved winner, Steve Smith hasn't got long to celebrate before heading to Whistler for Crankworx. It's on with the job and onto the next race, but this win won't be forgotten quickly. — The grin of a well deserved winner, Steve Smith hasn’t got long to celebrate before heading to Whistler for Crankworx. It’s on with the job and onto the next race, but this win won’t be forgotten quickly.

The whole field is hungry for the top of the podium, and as the season progresses each rider gets even more determined. What will happen in Norway?

August 12, 2013