SA Enduro Series – Fox Creek

Off to Fox Creek for a day of bikes, pretty hard to beat if you ask us.

We headed out to Fox Creek for the South Australian Gravity Series over the weekend and thanks to the great guy and gals at GESA (Gravity Enduro of South Australia) we did something we don’t normally get to do, race! We aren’t going to tell you our results but what we can tell you is what the race was like! It was great, end of story… okay we will elaborate further but it was great.

Being a legal network of trails in the Adelaide Hills anyone could ride there so as you can imagine Saturday before the race there were plenty of punters out practicing the course (which GESA had conveniently publicised prior). Roll on Sunday morning and after a riders brief (and a the odd sneaky course condition check) we were off!

If you don’t know this round was probably the most physical yet with some long climbs between stages (the downhills get used by Inside Line at the state downhill races) so just making sure you paced yourself was key. Off up the first climb to the first stage, as usual this is where the riders got split up into groups. It was the shortest stage of the day and got everyone focused on what they had to do, some slippery roots kept everyone on their toes. The slalom at the end was also a bit of fun!

No time to smell the flowers, there was racing to be had!

From here the riders got sent on predominately downhill courses; Bowl, Long and even Steep making a welcome return towards the end. A�There were also a few other parts, such as Green Smoothie that weren’t strictly downhill downhill but were great additions to the stages. If you raced elite you alos got the joy of doing another stage (6 instead of 5), which was ‘Pattos Curse’.

A good range of trails kept everyone chuffed.

A few scrapes here and there, all part and parcel of the sport.

For the results head over the the GESA Facebook page and you will be able to find them there, for use we weren’t overly bothered with the results. A day on your bike riding with mates means you’re a winner regardless!

Steve Marsh on a different bike from the one we saw at the Eagle round but still going fast!

There were plenty of photographers out snapping pics!

Again it was great to see the girls out racing (and being the track sweep!)

Some really good racing across all categories.

There was the opportunity to find some creative lines, finding a second or two here and there.

Shelly Flood took the women's race. — Shelly Flood took the women’s race.

Simon Buzacott took the men's win! — Simon Buzacott took the men’s win!

The next round heads to ‘Dazzleland’ at Mount Torrens which is going to be another great event no doubt.

Images: RFPhotographics (FacebookA�hereA�or follow on Instagram @rfphotographics).

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September 2, 2015

World Cup 7 – Val di Sole

It doesn't even look real but Val di Sole (or the Valley of the Sun) is a very picturesque place! It also happens to be home to one of the most brutal race tracks on the planet! — It doesn’t even look real but Val di Sole (or the Valley of the Sun) is a very picturesque place! It also happens to be home to one of the most brutal race tracks on the planet!

There will be no more world cups until 2016! Seems crazy to write that because it feels like only last week we were racing the first round but it is the truth. Fortunately there is still the world championships to come but before we get ahead of ourselves, Val di Sole (VDS) and what a race it was for the finale. The overall competition for the juniors and the women had already been determined but the men’s competition was still Greg Minnaars to win and Aaron Gwins to lose! Of course there were so many other plots as well, could Loic Bruni snag his first world cup win? Could Troy Brosnan grab the win after crashing in Windham the race prior? Would we yet again see another fresh out of the juniors field rider grab their first elite podium?

Track walk is always interesting, this year there were many new features which meant riders couldn't just go back to the lines from previous years. — Track walk is always interesting, this year there were many new features which meant riders couldn’t just go back to the lines from previous years.

This was one of the biggest concerns, moisture... it was always there lurking but never had a big say in how the event turned out. — This was one of the biggest concerns, moisture… it was always there lurking but never had a big say in how the event turned out.

It was good to see Steve Peat back on a bike, his weekend didn't quite go to plan scoring another injury, at least this one is a lot more minor! — It was good to see Steve Peat back on a bike, his weekend didn’t quite go to plan scoring another injury, at least this one is a lot more minor!

Racing saw an Italian junior, Loris Revelli, step up to the plate and take away the coveted gold medal much to the delight of the home crowd! Andrew Crimmins was the highest placed Aussie in fourth place,he took home second overall a fantastic result!

Junior Men:

1st. Loris Revelli
2nd. Jacob Dickson
3rd. Laurie Greenland

Remy Morton had a promising first junior season, roll on 2016.

In the elite women it was the same story as it has been most of the season, Rachel Atherton took the win! Myriam Nicole showed that she can handle the technical tracks, a good sign before world championships. Third went to current world champion Manon Carpenter.

Elite Women:

1st. Rachel Atherton
2nd. Myriam Nicole
3rd. Manon Carpenter

Tracey Hannah took the last place on the podium in 5th.

Manon Carpenter looked to ramp up her title defence ahead of world championships taking 3rd.

In the elite men all the attention was on the last few riders as they were the ones who had more to gain than just the race victory! Brook MacDonald was in the hot seat when Greg Minnaar started his run, it wasn’t long before he made an uncharacteristic mistake and sampled the Italian dirt, in the process he awarded the 2015 series to Aaron Gwin. Next up was Lolo aka Loic Bruni the young French man rode well displacing Brook MacDonald from the top spot. Next on course was Aaron Gwin, he rode a smart race and ended up just ahead of Loic’s time. This left fastest qualifier Troy Brosnan on track, he was fastest at split one but a crash/bobble/incident meant he broke his finger but still managed to charge home for third place.

Elite Men:
1st. Aaron Gwin
2nd. Loic Bruni
3rd. Troy Brosnan

You don't often see Greg Minnaar crash, especially in a race run. — You don’t often see Greg Minnaar crash, especially in a race run.

Gee Atherton couldn't repeat his world championships success here from a few years ago. — Gee Atherton couldn’t repeat his world championships success here from a few years ago.

Fastest qualifier translates to last rider down the hill. We now wait for the 2016 season.

The race is won or lost, long before riders cross the finish line.

2015 was a break through year for many riders including Tahnee Seagrave.

Still no world cup wins for this maestro, hard to believe really!

Rachel Atherton showed to be the class act of 2015 in a league of her own.

What could have been.... emotion levels were high! — What could have been…. emotion levels were high!

Captain America takes his 14th world cup win and 3rd overall series.

Aaron Gwin again showed he can handle a bike on a variety of courses to take the win here on a totally different track to the last race in Windham.

That wraps up the 2015 UCI downhill world cup series, what a great year it has A�been. Of course join us in Andorra for the world championships in a few weeks time.

Images:A�http://www.lukasnavratil.cz/ FacebookA�hereA�or Instagram @luknav

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August 25, 2015

South East Queensland Downhill Series Round 6 a�� Beerburrum

After some early season venue shuffling, Sunday the 16th of August saw riders heading toA�Beerburrum in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland for Round 6 of the series run by the Da��Aguilar RangeA�Cycling Club (DRCC). This venue is often met with mixed opinions and some of the more skilledA�racers wonder if ita��s worthy of the term a�?downhilla�� with the riders gaining minimal elevation on theA�shuttles up to the start gate. However this lack of elevation and technical terrain gives youngerA�riders and some of the less confident women a chance to hit some higher speeds and build someA�confidence for the final round and then the end-of-year goal of state champs. Entry costs wereA�slashed right down to $20 for U/15 and U/17 which no doubt was partly the reason for the bigA�turnout of the next generation of champions.

Giant Glorya��s are one of the most popular bikes in the SEQDH series and by the end of the day the Elite Mena��s podium would see three riders arrive there onboard one of the newly design 2015 models. — Giant Glorya��s are one of the most popular bikes in the SEQDH series and by the end of the day the Elite Mena��s podium would see three riders arrive there onboard one of the newly designed 2015 models.

Eventual U/19s winner Loic Fery leads the Ashgrove Cycles team out for their first practice run of the day.

The drop-in from the start is relatively straight forward, a few small down slopes that riders try toA�pump or pre-jump to transfer down for some extra speed mixed with some turns and jumps, thisA�continues for a few hundred metres until riders reach the much talked about blown out corners.

Ben Power was hitting practice hard and was without a doubt the fastest all morning which translated into the win for Elite Men. — Ben Power was hitting practice hard and was without a doubt the fastest all morning which
translated into the win for Elite Men.

Kim Bishop railing one of the most talked about turns on the track.

Sam Fraser hit this rutted out and dusty berm lower and faster than anyone I saw all day.

After this initial part of the track the pedalling starts, and it doesna��t end until the finish for the fastest riders. Thata��s part of the beauty of this track, the lack of technical difficulty may make it seemA�boring to some racers but in a racing sense the course is almost unbeatable for the battle to beA�had between competitors as the times are so tight at the end of the day. Riders have to create theirA�own momentum for any jumps or small rock sections throughout the remainder of the course.

Tim Abbott returned to the race scene after a long time between drinks and managed to take the win in Expert Men.

1/15th of Matt Searle as he puts down a few pedal strokes on one of the many flat sections on the track.

Nathan Cubit hitting the berms midway down through the course.

After practice on Saturday and plenty of practice runs on Sunday before finals, no turn was without a layer of loose dust and marbly gravel which kept the riders on their toes. — After practice on Saturday and plenty of practice runs on Sunday before finals, no turn was
without a layer of loose dust and marbly gravel which kept the riders on their toes.

Ben Power - full focus! — Ben Power – full focus!

Hugo Thompson scrubbing the first of the mid-track rock sections.

Cameron Cubit chose his Enduro over his Demo on the day - this track had a few riders changing from their DH sleds to a more trail oriented setup. — Cameron Cubit chose his Enduro over his Demo on the day – this track had a few riders changing from their DH sleds to a more trail oriented setup.

Ryan Leutton keeping it tight and low in practice.

The final third of the track is where riders initially start to get a small amount of gravity-fed speed inA�the form of some small rock drops but then ita��s straight into the pedal-strokes again through anA�endless array of turns where exit speed is key to getting through them smoothly.

Without much elevation the main vertical descent was gained through two rock sections after the halfway points.

The young guns were out in force and with a relatively straight forward track they were hitting all the lines that the big boys took.

You expect one of three things when Sam Fraser hits a jump: a whip, a backflip onto the podium, or thisa�� — You expect one of three things when Sam Fraser hits a jump: a whip, a backflip onto the
podium, or thisa��

Joshua Bosschieter tackles the final berm section of the track.

Full concentration painted on Ryan Biggsa�� face.

Jerry Armstrong jumping the inside line before plunging into the steepest part of the track a few turns later.

With races being won on 29er hardtails on this track in the past it was no surprise to see Mark Whiting ripping up the course aboard his 29er Remedy. — With races being won on 29er hardtails on this track in the past it was no surprise to see Mark
Whiting ripping up the course aboard his 29er Remedy.

The track then opens up to the most prominent vertical descent of the course where riders get aA�chance to get a bit creative with their line choice in an effort to hit the final long flat section with asA�much speed as possible.

The rock garden is the steepest part of the track - a�?steepa�� is probably an overstatement but there is plenty of different lines to separate the best from the rest. — The rock garden is the steepest part of the track – a�?steepa�� is probably an overstatement but
there is plenty of different lines to separate the best from the rest.

The simplicity of the track led to a bigger turnout in the Womena��s race than previously seen this season.

The final section of the track is where riders aim to stay off the brakes as much as possible and putA�in some final cranks to keep their momentum through the small drops and jumps before a final setA�of turns and the last minute dash to the line.

Loic Fery is no stranger to the top step of the podium in the local and national enduro races and he managed to climb to the top in U/19s on the day for his first win of the series. — Loic Fery is no stranger to the top step of the podium in the local and national enduro races
and he managed to climb to the top in U/19s on the day for his first win of the series.

Mick Dopson from Brisbane Mountain Bike Shuttles has no problem throwing around his carbon V10.

Jacob Reeves was able to claim second in Elite Mens and was only 1.7 seconds back from Ben Power. — Jacob Reeves was able to claim second in Elite Mens and was only 1.7 seconds back from
Ben Power.

Mark Whiting sending it over a section of roots on the final high speed section of the track.

Jordan Clements scrubbing hard on his way to third place in U/17.

Ben Power was the last man down the hill, an all too common occurrence this year.

Round 6 saw Ben Power claim his 5th win of the season (after 5 starts) in Elite Men and no doubt ifA�he hadna��t have missed a round earlier in the year he would have an unassailable points lead but asA�it currently stands there are a few riders like Ryan Leutton and Jacob Reeves who have theA�possibility of overtaking him in the overall at the final round in a few weeks time if he slips up.

Undefeated from the 5 rounds that he has raced this year - Ben Power has every right to be smiling — Undefeated from the 5 rounds that he has raced this year – Ben Power has every right to be smiling

Images and report: Cooper Messery Photography (FacebookA�hereA�or Instagram @cooper_messery)

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August 23, 2015

SA State Series a�� Round 5 a�� Eagle

Saturday's weather was questionable... — Saturday’s weather was questionable…

Off we went to Eagle Mountain Bike Park for round 5 of the Inside Line SA State Series, there were a few choice additions/changes tot he track and the way it was bunted. The steep chute coming into the bridge a third of the way down the track was catching a few people out! Especially during practice on Saturday when conditions were less than ideal, in fact a lot of riders were of the opinion that a few runs on Saturday were enough before they headed home to start the long task of cleaning up!

For all the results head toA�www.insideline.com.au

As always RFPhotographics gives us a visual recap of the action;

Changing conditions are all part of playing bikes! By racing may riders were coming off the mud tyres back onto their dry set up.

Different parts of the track responded differently to the weather, the clay turns at the bottom were slipperier than most for the majority of the weekend!

The jumps at the bottom are always a favourite though, for riders, spectators and photographers!

The chute before the bridge a third of the way down was really testing riders, especially the hard left hander at the bottom before the lip, here Simon Buzacott drags a foot!

Sometimes it didn't all go to plan though! This rider just missed out on heading a lot further down the hill near the bottom as he missed the track! — Sometimes it didn’t all go to plan though! This rider just missed out on heading a lot further down the hill near the bottom as he missed the track!

There was a hip hop crew on hand who were shooting their next album cover, the album is called 'All about the lifestyle' or so it seemed... — There was a hip hop crew on hand who were shooting their next album cover, the album is called ‘All about the lifestyle’ or so it seemed…

Racing as always was competitive across the categories.

Shelly Flood was again at the pointy end of the elite female's field! — Shelly Flood was again at the pointy end of the elite female’s field!

Some riders were more successful with the style than the time, some had both!

At the end of both days there was a fair bit of this going on! Some riders/teams were set up with a wash in the pits!

See you at the next round!

Images: RFPhotographics (FacebookA�hereA�or follow on Instagram @rfphotographics).

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August 20, 2015

World Cup 6 – Windham – Finals

Your alarm goes off, it is 6.30am, you are nervous but not overly hungry, you force yourself to eat something. That bowl of oats gets forced down while you are checking the old social media before you realise it is getting close to go time, you go put your fresh kit on before you get in the hire car to get to the pits. What is this music station? Why do they always play such strange songs haha. Driving through the pits you see your fellow countrymen you put the window down and yell ‘the amateur race was yesterday mate! haha’ – you crack a smile as you drive off, I got him! As you get to the pits your mechanic wheels your steed out, fresh cut down tyres, all set and ready to go. First chair up for the day, it’s cold gah why aren’t these jerseys thicker! You look across to the track, is that ground wet? If so you might need to take the line around the rocks as you come out of the woods. You ride from the chair lift to the start gate, your left leg is stiff from that crash you had in practice, it will come good later you say. There are a few riders ahead of you at the start gate before you push off for the first run of the day, you have 2 hours of practice before racing starts. You are in the gate and the marshall nods and says ‘whenever you like’, you crank out of the start gate… welcome to race day. Windham 2015.

Tracey Hannah has traditionally done well in Windham, fourth here put her onto the podium again.

It was a race that had it all. A few points of interest;

Rachel Atherton won by 9.3 yes 9.3 seconds, she had won the overall title by this stage.

The Aussie juniors ride strong filling various positions from 5th on.

Aaron Gwin won by 3.5 seconds ahead of Greg Minnaar. That 3.5 seconds was the same time gap from 2nd through to 15th. Gwin has now won 12 world cups.

Loris Vergier shows he is another French rider who will be winning races soon claiming his first podium in 3rd after stepping up from juniors last year.

Stevie Smith gets back onto the podium in 5th.

Troy Brosnan finishes 6th with a crash, his time from the first split to the finish is only 0.398 seconds slower than Aaron’s time…

Matt Walker from the VANZACS does the privateers proud with an impressive 11th place.

Dean Lucas keeps his good season rolling with a 15th place.

Connor Fearon steadies his results with a solid 25th.

Loic Bruni flatted which really hurts his chance for the overall and ends up in 66th, Greg Minnaar now overtakes him into 2nd place in the race for the overall world cup win.

Another solid result for Danny Hart in 14th place.

With his third win in a row Laurie Greenland has won the overall junior men's title with an insurmountable points lead over Andrew Crimmins. — With his third win in a row Laurie Greenland has won the overall junior men’s title with an insurmountable points lead over Andrew Crimmins.

Gee Atherton has had a quiet year by his standards, 4th here shows he's still in the mix as ever. — Gee Atherton has had a quiet year by his standards, 4th here shows he’s still in the mix as ever.

For a short period of time there it looked like Greg Minnaar might be adding to his overall wins tally but not today, second for the South African.

Absolutely no denying Aaron Gwins speed, it looked as if he was in fast-forward mode.

As humble as ever, Arron Gwin said he was delighted to win at home, with this week having been one of his most memorable races to date.

The next race sees riders head back to Europe for the last world cup in Val di Sole and the world championships in Andorra, see you there!

Images: Jeff Henson follow him on Instagram (@JHENSONPHOTO) orA�www.jhensonphoto.com

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August 9, 2015

World Cup 6 – Windham – Qualifying

We packed our back bags and headed south into the good ol' US of A. — We packed our back bags and headed south into the good ol’ US of A. Image: Zach Faulkner.

We headed down south from Mont Sainte Anne to Windham in the United States of America for round 6 of the world cup. In relation to last race this track is much shorter, around half the time overall. It does have a combination of fast sections, jumps and some rocky shale which is common in the area.

After last race where Josh Bryceland proved he's back will Windham be his second win this year? — After last race where Josh Bryceland proved he’s back will Windham be his second win this year?

Qualifying took place in pretty dusty conditions and results are as below. A few pointers, Rachel Atherton is the 2015 overall world cup champion, after qualifying first she now has an insurmountable points lead! Congratulations Rachel. The juniors are again racing to hone their skills, solid result by the group as they lead into world championships. Aaron Gwin shows he is keen to win at this home race, a solid gap on short course means he is the man to beat.

The juniors have been neck and neck all season, this trend continues in Windham, it is anyone's guess as who will take the victory. — The juniors have been neck and neck all season, this trend continues in Windham, it is anyone’s guess as who will take the victory.

Rachel tops the timesheet and has wrapped up the overall, it looks like she is on track for win number 5 this season. Look closely and you will see old school racer Missy Giove making an appearance. Throwbacks for days... — Rachel tops the timesheet and has wrapped up the overall, it looks like she is on track for win number 5 this season. Look closely and you will see old school racer Missy Giove making an appearance. Throwbacks for days…

Who is your pick? In reality there is a handful of riders who could take the win here, do you fancy the hometown here Gwin? Or do you think Bruni will claim his first win? Maybe you have a darkhorse picked as a surprise.

Fastest qualifier, Aaron Gwin, shows us he is the man to beat at his home course with a 2+ second gap from 2nd place.

Loic Bruni dancing across the rocks, second qualifier and hoping to improve one place come finals.

Troy was so close last race, you just know he is hungry to take the win here. — Troy Brosnan was so close last race, you just know he is hungry to take the win here.

You can never rule Greg Minnaar out, the most successful male world cup racer of all time can increase his haul at anytime!

14th in qualifying Connor Fearon is one spot behind compatriot Dean Lucas, both looking for at least a top 10 this weekend. Image: Zach Faulkner

That gives a quick snapshot of qualifying, finals yet to come! Tune back for more.

Images: Jeff Henson follow him on Instagram (@JHENSONPHOTO) orA�www.jhensonphoto.com

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August 8, 2015

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