Inside Info: Connor Fearon – Scotland

#22 Chad Reed! No in this case it is Connor Fearon... — #22 Chad Reed! No in this case it is Connor Fearon…

After the Cairns World Cup didn’t go the way I planned I headed home for about 4 weeks in preparation for the next round, Fort William. The time seemed to go really quick but I got a solid few weeks of training in. In the past the Fort Bill World Cup has treated me well. Last year at the season opener there I finished up 21st so a top 20 was definitely on the cards for this weekend. It’s always a long haul coming from South Australia to the UK it takes almost two days spent aboard the big bird. With the worst of the travelling done I arrived in Glasgow on Tuesday and Matty my mechanic picked me up and we drove the last 3 hours to Fort William. Wednesday was spent building up my race bike and new Process 153 which is sick, we got a trail ride in beside Loch Ness.. Unfortunately no monster was spotted but I’m still a believer!

Sending some of the bigger jumps on the course.

As usual the downhill track is the same as the last 2 years I’ve been racing here. I won’t bore you with the details as everyone knows about the track. Fast, rough, open etc… We got to walk the track and register on Thursday. My overall was down to 22nd so I was rocking Chad Reeda��s number for the week. I was really excited to start riding on Friday, I hardly took any breaks in practice because I was having so much fun. After a few runs and a couple changes to my suspension my bike was feeling so smooth down the track it gave me lots of confidence. Qualifiers were good, the track was really dry and slippery because of the loose gravel type of surface. I had a good run and finished 19th. A good result showing what I was capable of.

A solid qualifying result set Connor up well for finals.

It rained on Saturday night but just enough to make the track tacky so it was a little faster for Sunday! Saturday/race day is pretty much the same at every race. I do 2 practice runs then wait around nervously for finals.

2 practice runs on Sunday morning then this, finals!

It rained a tiny bit while I was going up in the gondola for my race but not enough to make a difference. I warmed up as usual and my run was really good. I felt I was on edge the top half of the track but started to fade and make a few mistakes down the bottom. I pedalled hard at the bottom but I wasn’t as strong as most of the other riders which is something to work on. I finished 14th which is an excellent result but the times were so tight if I was half a second faster I would have been in 9th position. After the weekend my overall is down to 19th which means I automatically qualify for Leogang this weekend. Last season I got my best result there with 10th so I will be looking for another top 10 this time around! Thanks to everyone that helps me; Kona Bikes, Fox Head, SRAM/Rockshox/Avid/Truvativ, Yakima Racks, Stans No Tubes, Maxxis and of course Downhill247.

Physically draining as well as technical, Fort William is a proper track, 14th gets Connor sitting inside the top 20 overall.

Images: Jason Stevens Photography (@jasonstevensphotography or on Facebook)

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June 13, 2014

World Cup Round 4, Leogang – Track Walk

Welcome to Leogang, Austria. Destination for round 4 of the 2014 World Cup Season. Today we will continue our trend of doing a track walk with Australians. Today we took a walk down the track with Tegan Molloy and Aiden Varley, Australias two fastest juniors and some of the worlds fastest juniors currently.

The top section of track hasn’t seen many changes, with the bike park berms still being a prevalent feature, and with this sun and dry weather they have become pretty skatey and loose, there is reports of rain to come over the upcoming week, which we feel may help settle the track and provide some additional grip. As we move down the track it becomes very bike park smooth, staying steep, but with hand created rock gardens and jumps.

Once we cross an access road the track leaves the typical bike park terrain and becomes steep and rooty, with plenty of ruts to form over the weekend, weather its dry or wet. Many of the root sections are off camber and will be challenging, especially if it does rain and get wet in the wooded sections.

After we make our way through the top woods section the track opens up onto a very smooth bike park track, this part of the track is groomed perfectly and the jumps are spot on, the speeds that are likely to be seen over this section of track we think will be super high, the section extends for quite some time and we feel it A�may play a part in tire choice, with perhaps a semi slick being selected to keep the speed up as the rest of the track doesn’t seem to require a really aggressive tire currently, though things may change over the week of riding.

From here we delve back into a wooded section, the section is in the same place as last year, however the builders have cut in a different line, which appears to have speed reduction in mind, with many sharp deviations and off camber sections, the track then dives into a well used section of track with plenty of line choices, people who are willing to take a risk in this section may make up a huge slab of time, if they can find a smooth line avoiding many of the bomb holes already existing.

The track then enters a more rough high speed section with some high speed jumps which then enter a steep and loose section where many of the berms have been cut out to make a nearly straight line down the hill, from here the track joins the classic Leogang finish, dropping in over the steep entry to the lower bike park jumps and high speed section towards to finish line, with the quicker inclusions before the drop in, many riders may have to brake much more before entering it or risk getting excessive air on the downside.

June 12, 2014

World Cup Round 3, Fort William – Race Day

It felt like today was going to be a good one, so we got here early, before the teams even

Ed Masters found some minions in Fort William

Race day in Fort William, with plenty of Aussies in top spots, what would the day hold? Would the weather hold? Or would the heavens open and change the game entirely? There has been rain overnight, so the track was moist again, but many riders commented that if the day was similar to yesterday then the track would end up very similar to the track everyone had qualified on. Aiden Varley commented that the rain wasn’t a bad thing, allowing the top part of the track to pick up some moisture making it a little more tacky, noting that as it dried yesterday it became slippy and skatey.

Aiden Varley throws down some style for the first run of the day

As practice began many tried to get a run in quickly first up, then allow a large rest and do only one or two more runs, this is quite standard due to the length and endurance of Fort William. This approach confirmed in many rider’s minds that they were only going to do minimal runs, with many of the top pros allowing time for a very late run to check the track in its condition closest to their time of departure from the top of the hill.

Racing began, and some high cloud began to descend on the top of the hill, making conditions changeable for the junior men. however the weather wasn’t the thing on most peoples minds it was Martin Maes, the young enduro rider from GT, walking away with a win, and knocking some of the big names out such as Luca Shaw, it should be noted that Luca had a mechanical, would the results of been the same if Luca didn’t? We don’t know, but we do know that Martin Maes has a bright future ahead of him, no matter which discipline he chooses to take part in.

The women began rolling down the hill, and the punctures started rolling in, with many of the women suffering punctures and throwing a spanner in the works, the most notable victims being both British riders and crowd favorites, Manon Carpenter and also Rachel Atherton, much to the crowds disappointment. This opened up the win to Emmeline Ragot, who stormed home in the changing conditions.

Manon Carpenter was unlucky to get a puncture during race runs

Now it was the mens turn, and as they entered the start gate the weather became even more shifting, with the bottom becoming a little bit of a rain jacket hokey pokey. Many riders coming down were commenting that the rain atop the hill was rather intense and how od it was to cross a section and have the rain cease and to arrive into the finish straight in striking sunshine. As we entered the territory for the top ten things felt like days of old with Steve Smith making a super comeback from injury sitting in the hot seat with both Sam Hill And Troy Brosnan to come. The crowd was lifting, and as Sam Hill Crossed the line they went bazerk, though not a local the crowd loved Sam, he’s a hard guy not to like, Next down the hill was local hope, Danny Hart, as Danny pedalled over the line the crowd went mental, we couldnt hear the camera shutter right next to our own ear, however Danny didn’t have the speed and would have to settle for second. This left only Troy to come down, and as he entered the final section through the Scotland arch the crowd went wild, Troy crossed the line to claim his maiden World Cup win, and was mobbed by team members in an ecstatic celebration.

Final results are as follows:

Junior Men:
Martin Maes
Loris Vergier
Alex Marin Trillo
Drew Carters
Vernon Taylor

Elite Women:
Emmeline Ragot
Myriam Nicole
Tracey Hannah
Emilie Seigenthaler
Jill Kitner

Elite Men:
Troy Brosnan
Sam Hill
Danny Hart
Aaron Gwin
Gee Atherton

How about a bit of a style check just for fun to finish off the report:

June 9, 2014

World Cup Round 3, Fort William – Qualifying

Are you ready for the....Red Bull Air Race...? No, its qualifying time here at Ft.. William — Are you ready for the….Red Bull Air Race…? No, its qualifying time here at Ft.. William

With the schedule brought forward due to the windy conditions predicted, this left riders no choice but to be up at the crack of dawn (kind of, the sun doesn’t really set in Scotland at this time of year), the lifts were open at 6:30am for runs ot begin at 7am. A rather weird sensation, for both media and riders. By around 10am it felt much more like around 2pm.

There had been no rain over night and the track was drying out on the open parts, and even the woods were becoming a little tacky. With practice over all the riders were clambered into the lifts and taken to the top of the hill for qualis to begin. The forecast winds didn’t seem to hit as badly as predicted, we had a chat to many of our Aussie riders, with Sam Hill commenting it wasn’t all that windy, and in the sections it was windy, it was a tail wind, which he felt was an advantage. Another notable item was that Mick Hannah did not make it onto the track today opting to rest his shoulder for this round, we have heard whisperings he will not race the remainder of the season, but will aim for world champs in Norway later this year.

Manon Carpenter, taking the top quali spot from Rachel Atherton, will this be a regular occurance? — Manon Carpenter, taking the top quali spot from Rachel Atherton, will this be a regular occurrence?

Our other top qualifier today, Tory Brosnan, looking lightning quick today

Young Aussie Aiden Varley, looking great on the wallride, but not qualifying as well as he'd hoped, i'm sure — Young Aussie Aiden Varley, looking great on the wallride, but not qualifying as well as he’d hoped, i’m sure

Fellow Aussie, Tracey Hannah hits the same wallride. Coming in just outside the top 5 in 6th position

The results of Qualification is as follows:

Women:
1. Manon Carpenter
2. Myriam Nicole
3. Emmeline Ragot
4. Tahnee Seagrave
5. Rachel Atherton

Elite Men:
1. Troy Brosnan
2. Danny Hart
3. Sam Hill
4. Sam Blenkinsop
5. Aaron Gwin

Junior Men:
1. Luca Shaw
2. Martin Maes
3. Alex Marin Trillo
4. Niel Stewart
5. Loris Vergier

Dave McMillan was looking fast, but didn't make the cut today finishing outside the 80 — Dave McMillan was looking fast, but didn’t make the cut today finishing outside the 80

Sam Hill, feeling great and looking dangerous, when Sams feeling right any track can be his to win

Steve Smith, back with a vengeance, putting himself into 7th position in his return race

Connor Fearon was looking good every time we saw him, and ended up in 19th posi

who doesn't enjoy a solid whip? — who doesn’t enjoy a solid whip?

June 8, 2014

World Cup Round 3, Fort William – Timed Practice

Today was simply a day of practice. We won’t bore you with the small details, we will give you some of the important facts and leave you with a gallery of todays preceding’s, hopefully leaving you wanting more for tomorrow qualis.

The track started today in fantastic condition, but due to the moist ground it was quickly chopped up, especially in the wooded sections where pools had gathered, these sections quickly became rutted and changed the track significantly. Many riders got creative trying to find some new lines. The open sections of track that are generally high speed began to form braking bumps and by days end some of the small brake bumps had become pretty sizable bomb holes.

Some of the other news to come out of today is that Mick Hannah had a sizable off, and according to the medic we chatted with has done something to his shoulder’s AC joint, she says he can probably ride tomorrow if he chooses to, but we didn’t have time catch up with Mick, so we are unsure what his decision is. The weather is also not playing the game tomorrow, so qualifying will begin quite early so the wind does not effect the track.

The man of the day, Danny Hart, clocking the fastest time during timed training

Sik Mik getting some attention no body wants, the medical type. We are hoping to see mick back on the bike tomorrow and wish him a good recovery — Sik Mik getting some attention no body wants, the medical type. We are hoping to see Mick back on the bike tomorrow and wish him a good recovery

That’s all from us for now, enjoy the small gallery below and we will see you track side tomorrow!

Mayhem Dave, looking solid all day!

Dean Lucas entering some rocks, and looking super comfortable on his new team this year

Aaron Gwin, pulling a dead last in timed training. Odd? Kind of, but we saw Aaron wait for team mate Troy and Aaron only completed one run, hence the slow time

Connor Fearon, coming out with a 7th after timed training, taking it easy over the bridged upper section of track

Never before have we seen a rider have so much fun riding a bike, Josh Bryceland turns on the style over the final hip jump

When the sun is shining waiting for riders isn't terrible — When the sun is shining waiting for riders isn’t terrible

Mr. Hill, looking cool calm and collected here in Ft. William, a track that’s been kind to him in the past.

Sam Blenkinsop, doing some suspension testing, interestingly enough, on the old Lapierre

Tegan Molloy pushes over the slippery wooden feature part way through the woods

The man of the moment, Greg Minnaar. Bringing up is 100th World Cup race here in Ft. William

Stevie Smith is back on the bike, and looking quick, don't let the number plate fool you, Steve means business — Stevie Smith is back on the bike, and looking quick, don’t let the number plate fool you, Steve means business

The GoPro Truck has got its low on in Ft. William

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June 7, 2014

World Cup Round 3, Fort William – Track Walk

Welcome to Fort William, Scotland, a classicA�world cup track. Today’s weather was predictably Scottish with cold weather and low clouds. Scotland does however have some amazing scenery when the weather wants to play along.

Today we took a walk down the track with Australian local team, Green To Gold. Consisting of Chris Barlin, Danielle Beecroft & Brent Smith.

The top section of track hasn’t changed at all from previous years, with the signature Fort William open-ness and white rock faces. Its still rough and arm pump inducing. it has however received some love with some of the rougher sections being smoothed slightly.

We spotted Danny Hart out on his track walk as well, looking cool as a cucumber, will the local Brit be on the podium this weekend?

We also spotted this old face. Any guesses as to who it is? We have heard he is here with the his countries national junior team

As we make our way down the track we come to the wooded section, a part of the track not many see at home on the telecast, this was bunted a little differently this year, leaving riders with few lines in certain sections which was a bit different, as usually the woods are bunted to allow multiple lines, however as we walked further down into the woods they did open up and become a labyrinth of lines.

From here the track dives over the newer addition to the track, the road gap and into a high speed section with a few berms and wall rides. Then we pop out into a favorite of most spectators, the high speed jumps section, and then into the hip jump and down to the finish line.

We can’t finish off without sharing a bit more of that epic scenery!

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June 6, 2014

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