Our friends over at Revo mag have been busy beavering away on the latest issue. If you dona��t know [R]evolution they feature, downhill, freeride and enduro; similar content to Downhill247.com in a shiny print copy.
With the Cairns WC approaching, Issue 34 is their biggest mag to date, jam-packed with top photos, race reports, bike reviews and special features. More than enough to satisfy our bike needs on the drive to Bright!
While downhill247 has been around for some time now it was [R]evo we grew up reading; their no-nonsense reporting was always refreshing and kept our bike cravings satisfied. If you havena��t got a copy yet you know the drill, grab one from a newsagent or at your local bike store, and keep on supporting good Australian media!
As bikes and race tape glinted in the morning sun; those competing for the top spot knew what was needed to claim fastest…
Another spectacular summer day in the Alpine resort of Thredbo, the pits appeared and bustled from an early hour with excitement of the final series round of Nationals for 2014. With riders talking about the roughening trail after a weekends’ abuse, and TB’s blitzing seeding time of 4:51, the game faces were on and excitement built steadily as racing approached.
Tegan Molloy at home for the weekend in Thredbo, has set the fastest seeding and racing times of all women competitors in the 2014 National Series. With a feat like this under her belt, it is exciting to think of what might behold her future in elite.
While still a comparably small event compared to previous years of Nationals events, Thredbo had a busy, energetic atmosphere that had riders punching out run after run. With so many gaps from top to bottom – A�whether off roots and over rock gardens, across braking ruts or a big dirt jump – Thredbo’s Cannonball trail encompasses just about all that is fun in downhill in an enduring 5-7 minute run.
Fastest in elite women during seeding, Danielle Beecroft looks to be over an ankle injury that saw her miss the second round in Mt Buller. Taking second on race day is a solid result in stepping toward another World Cup Circuit in 2014.Remy Moron is always impressive to watch – he has a unique style and a huge sense of speed about him. His time in Thredbo of 5:00:86 would’ve earned him a 5th place in Elite Mens.Aiden Varley tackles an early root and rock section with ease, floating through with barely a whirr of tyres for 4th place for Yarra Valley Cycles.Ben Hill having some fun on the final jump during Sunday morning practice. Placing 7th was enough to claim the National Series Winner jersey for Ben. He has been unhampered by injury and stood out all series for his speed and style. Can he back it up with a National Championship too?Rhys Atkinson up to speed through one of Thredbo’s rock gardens. Despite mostly smooth rocks, many flats were felt this weekend!Angus Maddern had a front heavy crash during practice on Friday, but recovered overnight to maintain his speed to make top 20 in elite men. With only 15 seconds spread in the top 20, it’s standing room only!
Without Connor Fearon and Dean Lucas racing, Troy Brosnan had a little less pressure to push hard, though in true Troy nature he cleared the field by 8.5 seconds and effortlessly took first place and 2014 Series Winner, ahead of Thomas Crimmins (2nd Thredbo, 3rd Overall) and David McMillan (3rd Thredbo, 2nd Overall). Bright will hopefully see Connor and a larger turnout of riders, adding to the excitement of Australian Nationals Racing.
In the Women’s divisions, Michelle Crisp took the win by 0.1s, improving on her qualifying position of 3rd, and claiming the Series Medal too. After a consistent year, performance has paid off for Michelle; picking up some new sponsors and having found her feet again in racing.
Nationals Round 3 – Thredbo Results
Elite Men 1. Troy Brosnan 4:46:25
2. Thomas Crimmins +8.52
3. David McMillan +10.39
4. Graeme Mudd +14.73
5. Rhys Atkinson +15.53
U19 Male 1. Andrew Crimmins 4:54:03
2. Matthew McCorkell 7.71
3. Aiden Varley 10.12
U19 Female 1. Tegan Molloy 5:46:31
Australian National Series – Overall Winners
Elite Men 1. Troy Brosnan
2. David McMillan
3. Thomas Crimmins
Elite Women
1. Michelle Crisp
2. Danielle Beecroft
3. Sarah Booth
U19 Male 1. Ben Hill
2. Andrew Crimmins
3. Max Warshawsky
U19 Female 1. Tegan Molloy
2. Ellie Wale
U17 Male
1. Remy Morton
2. Jackson Frew
3. Harry Parsons
As an ever-changing trail, Thredbo is in top form with a very fast, flowing and challenging profile. Here a popular changed corner provides foreground to the alpine area’s incredible views.
Downhill247.com will be in Bright, VIC for the final Nationals event for 2014 – Australian National Championships. Keep up to date with our coverage of Australian gravity-fuelled events by following on Facebook and Instagram!
Under absolutely perfect Australian summer weather, this weekend Australian Nationals Round 3 takes place in the alpine village of Thredbo, NSW. After a wild day of practice on Friday, riders were eager to see how the track would wear in over the weekend and consolidate their lines for racing. As the longest trail in the National Series, Thredbo would test riders’ endurance of high speed bumps and hits, spotted with booters and loose berms. Braking bumps are a riders best friend, or worst enemy perhaps; either way they’re in your face the whole way down.
Seeding Results:
Elite Men
Troy Brosnan – 4:51:17
Thomas Crimmins – 4:57:19
Josh Button – 4:58:49
Check out photos from Friday and Saturday, practice and seeding – and stay tuned for a full race report following racing tomorrow.
Troy rails a particularly loose section during practice, leaving plenty of dust in his wake.Tegan Molloy relaxing on the way up, getting ready to push her lines and abilities to show her speed this weekend.
Blake Nielsen floats across braking bumps in one of the high speed straights, finding his speed on trail after recurring injuries.Luke Ellison has been looking fast and comfortable all weekend, it will be interesting to see how the Bilt riders perform come race runs!
Not a bad location to crown the National Series winners!
And when the going gets too low… the photographer gets out of the way.Despite breaking his wrist in an awkward fall yesterday, Dean Lucas will be claiming points for the overall this weekend, and is still intending to race WC1 in South Africa. Healing vibes Dean!
Check back in for a full race report from Round 3 of the Australian National Series, by Downhill247.com
Despite heatwave conditions off the mountain, Sunday had great racing conditions aside from medium gusting winds. Riders had a 2 hour open practice to dial in their lines, before back to back seeding and racing. With a small race group of less than 150 riders, bikes flowed on the trail like a dripping tap; and Connor Fearson seeded first ahead of Troy Brosnan and Dean Lucas; building anticipation for the early afternoon. As the weekend’s largest crowd gathered at hotspots on the trail, battling flies up to 10 at a time, racing got underway.
Michelle Crisp, who seeded first comfortably in the Elite Womens class with a 4:19, had a heavy fall during her race run on “International” trail’s known rock G out. Crisp finished 4.5 seconds behind Sarah Booth, who claimed fastest with a 4:22.The other half of every competitor, spectator and staff member at Mt Buller this weekend….David McMillan at race pace through the rock-strewn, loose top wood section. On his way to 4th place!Connor Fearon on his race run, before suffering a front flat which took him out of contention. After a knockout run in Adelaide and a strong weekend of practice, Fearon took this reality of racing in his stride.Remy Morton took this line higher and faster than many of the elites, securing himself the U17 Male win and series leader jersey with a time of 3:27:63.Andrew Crimmins had blistering pace all weekend, until a nasty over-the-bars left him with a DNF for the first time at a National Series in 4 years.It was Troy Brosnan, in his captivating green and gold race colours that claimed the win – leaving the series standings at Brosnan 1, Fearon 1 as the third round in Thredbo approaches…
Elite Mens Podium – Australian National Series Rd 2, Mt Buller 2014.
Final Results as Follows:
Elite Men:
Troy Brosnan: 3:18:55
Dean Lucas +2.03
Joshua Button: +2.83
Mount Buller provides an awesome alpine background to the excitement of Nationals racing, whether it’s looking out over the surrounding mountains, or amongst the beautiful Australian Gums.
In 2014 nationals style, heatwaves were once again forecast for a long weekend of racing. Dust is practically jumping off the ground, as lift-assisted practice run mean efficient and easy practice sessions for everyone. After a nasty accident during practice yesterday left a rider airlifted to hospital with a broken Femur, practice was delayed so many were making up for lost time with another full day of practice on Saturday. Here’s a taste of the action!
Jackson Davis is impressive in all areas of his riding. Whether it’s jumps, rocks or wallrides, the confidence and speed with which he tackles the trail has spectators eyebrows high indeed.A foot through the lens is never ideal; in this case a high-risk, high-profit photo opportunity was put to the test (followed by very fast moving after this frame).Shelly Flood has a strong hold on her confidence this year, seen here railing a rocky berm near the top of the track. What will the Elite women’s podium look like? Time will tell.Line choice is highly varied in the wide-trailed, super rough top section. With near constant riders, the trail won’t get any smoother come Sunday racing.
Ben Hill swoops through, passing the rock hit and taking an inside line, hovering above the rocks and keeping good pace through the rough top section.Troy Brosnan was as rare as a drop bear on track today, with a number of practice runs you could count on one hand. TB still stood out as one of the very fastest on track, we can’t wait to for seeding and racing tomorrow!
Plenty of action tomorrow with practice, seeding and racing! Keep up to date and join us for a wild ride.
One of Australia’s brightest future prospects?! No doubt… we are keen to follow Andrew Crimmins as he sets his sights overseas for 2014.
If you follow downhill racing in Australia then no doubt the name Crimmins would be familiar to you, the brothers from Bredbo, about an hour out of Thredbo, have been making quite a name for themselves. Older brother Tom has represented Australia at the World Champs and is a regular podium getter across the land. For this interview we had a chat with the younger of the brothers, Andrew, at 16 he is set to make a name for himself. Just recently he has signed on with Kona to race both here and overseas, we sat him down at a race and found out what makes him tick.
With a new team along side Connor Fearon we think Andrew is really going to grow as a racer this year.
Hey Andrew thanks for chatting with us, leta��s get through some of the standard questions that everyone wants to know, how long have you been racing for and what is like having a brother you can ride with:
Almost 7 years, I started when I was 10 and I think it has definitely helped me having a brother to ride with, growing up I have learnt a lot off him. There was some competition between us when we were younger but not so much anymore, we just push each other and help each other out.
Looking forward down the line for this year, what overseas races will you be doing? Furthermore, knowing that you will be heading overseas to race some World Cups, something Tom has done, has he passed on any a�?inside infoa��:
For 2014 I will be doing the whole World Cup series. I have already learnt a lot off his experiences and what he has told me, it certainly has helped my approach to the World Cup scene I think.
We saw you last year at Crankworx Whistler, which was the biggest race you have thus far been in, what was that experience like:
That was crazy over there, I couldna��t believe it, I was there for almost three weeks but still didna��t ride every track, so many people just love it over there. I will be over there again this year after Windham World Cup.
What goals have you set this year, not just for Crankworx but also the World Cups:
Jared Rando has helped me out a lot with that sort of stuff and he has set me up a training program and told me what my goals should be. I would like to go a few top 5s if I can in juniors, that would be my main goal, maybe a podium at World Champs if I can. I havena��t really thought too much about goals at Crankworx, I will just go have some fun and do the races while I am there.
Expect Andrew to be carving at Crankworx, especially with a few World Cups under his belt.
Youa��re riding on the Kona team, along with Connor Fearon, how did that all come about:
I met Mathieu (Kona team manager/mechanic/boss man/all round good guy) at Crankworx last year, I think Connor had a bit to do with my signing, pushing Mathieu a bit. That was goods, it is heaps helpful. It is so sick riding with Connor I definitely think I am going to learn a lot off him, it should be good. We get on well.
A lot of people took notice of Andrew after he won the downhill race at Thredbo for the recent Cannonball Festival – beating names such as Troy Brosnan and his own brother in the process! We here at downhill247.com always knew he was fast though…
Everyone has a fair idea of Connora��s riding style having seen him at so many races now but how would you describe your riding style and what style of track do you like:
A lot of people have actually said to me I ride a lot like Connor, which I think is going to help me with line choice, working with him as we will be able to ride together and do the same sort of stuff. I always ride clips, I cana��t even ride flats anymore! I like a track where I dona��t have to pedal too much, I really like the national track at Bright, thata��s probably one of my favourite tracks in Australia at the moment and it is just super steep. For World Cups definitely Mont Sainte Anne, everyone talks about how good it is for Australian riders and I cana��t wait for Cairns either, it will be the home town race and having the family there will be great.
You just got on the new bike recently, how is the beast treating you:
I am real happy with it, a bit of a short rear end which really hooks around the turns, I love it!
A humble guy, Andrew has 7 years of racing experience that shows with his maturity and results. Image: Henry Blake
Finally, who would you like to thank for getting you here:
My family help me out a lot, they have over the past 6 years and I wouldna��t be here without them for sure! Also thanks to Kona Bikes.
