King Of Ballarat – KOB – Twice The Fun

A pretty unique event and some pretty unique terrain!
A pretty unique event and some pretty unique terrain!

The King Of Ballarat (KOB) is a pretty unique little event/series, held in – wait for it – Ballarat it has been going on for around 12 years now! To make up for the short race runs riders do two runs of one of the tracks at Black Hill depending on which round it is and there are three rounds in the series.

99 Racers entered the race, almost cracked the ton!
99 Racers entered the race, almost cracked the ton!

Categories are a little different from many races but the A results overall looked like this;

1. Beacom Trant 1:54.931

2. Thomas Dion 1:56.194 + 1.263

3. Coutts Kyle 1:58.270 + 3.339

4. Coutts Damon 1:59.180 + 4.249

5. Coutts Darcy 1:59.871 + 4.940

With the weather being questionable in the week leading up to the event it was good to see it all stay okay for racing.
With the weather being questionable in the week leading up to the event it was good to see it all stay okay for racing.
A casual event but one the riders enjoy.
A casual event but one the riders enjoy.
We have seen a few team changes recently and some similar old partnerships. Regardless of your set up case if your run wasn't 100% you could lose just a small amount of time but lots of places.
We have seen a few team changes recently and some similar old partnerships. Regardless of your set up case if your run wasn’t 100% you could lose just a small amount of time but lots of places.
A bit of style to finish it off!
A bit of style to finish it off!

David McMillan – Chillen Euro Style – #DMD

What are you looking at? It should be Euro Chillen.
What are you looking at? It should be Euro Chillen.

Drifts, crashes and electric shocks… This Euro Chillen from David McMillan basically has it all! The boys make friends with a bunch of Kiwis and head to some of the most iconic downhill tracks Europe has to offer.

David McMillan Diaries are on their way but technology is a funny beast when out on the road. Check back soon though #DMD

Stay in the loop

As much as we don’t like to admit it, sometimes we are stuck in front of a screen instead of out riding our bikes! When that happens, you want to be kept in the loop with all the latest downhill news, race reports and photos.

We have just got ourselves an Instagram account so follow us @downhill247 – there will be some exclusive pics going up there so keep that in mind.

Downhill247.com is also on Facebook, like it to keep up to date with whats happening in the world of downhill,A�hit the button up the top right of the page or useA�the link here:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/downhill247com/218934308149588

We also have a YouTube account too, featuring a few different edits and what not including this one;

Plenty of ways to get your fix and don’t worry we won’t spam you!

NSW State Series – Round 2 – Del Rio

Blake Nielsen is back on the gas after a long bout of injury, finding his speed and the podium, just a second behind the top time of 2:00:84 (Graeme Mudd).
Blake Nielsen is back on the gas after a long bout of injury, finding his speed and the podium, just a second behind the top time of 2:00:84 (Graeme Mudd).
The Bilt Bikes team were looking fast all weekend. Brendan Moon claimed 4th in Elite Mens and Ryan O'linn (pictured) took 2nd in U19s.
The Bilt Bikes team were looking fast all weekend. Brendan Moon claimed 4th in Elite Mens and Ryan O’linn (pictured) took 2nd in U19s.
Danielle Beecroft was in form off the back of Val Di Sole a couple of runs on Sunday morning prepared her for the win in Elite Women's.
Danielle Beecroft was in form off the back of Val Di Sole; a couple of runs on Sunday morning prepared her for the win in Elite Women’s.
Rain on race day left the tight, fast, off-camber bottom section slick, the creek was all too inviting and time consuming for some riders.
Rain on race day left the tight, fast, off-camber bottom section slick. The creek was all too inviting and time consuming for some riders.
Line choice was ever important come Sunday, slippery chutes saw riders taking corners early to straight-line the descent.
Line choice was more important than ever come Sunday, slippery chutes saw riders taking corners early, to straight-line their descent.
This was where the action was come Sunday. The transition from grippy, dry dirt to loamy, wet mud, spattered with rocks allowed riders to show off creative lines, and some brilliant saves.
This was where the action was come Sunday. The transition from grippy, dry dirt to loamy, wet mud, spattered with rocks allowed riders to show off creative lines, and some brilliant saves.
Rocky Trail Entertainment put on a brilliant weekend for everyone, riding or not. The atmosphere at Del Rio was great; no waiting for shuttles or unhappy riders. Here, Martin finds his own rhythm on the track.
Rocky Trail Entertainment put on a brilliant weekend for everyone, riding or not. The atmosphere at Del Rio was great; no waiting for shuttles or unhappy riders. The amount of effort the Wisata couple puts in is heroic. Here, Martin finds his own rhythm on the track.
With over 160 riders, it's clear that the MTB industry is picking up in NSW. Maybe over the next few years we will start seeing comparable numbers to SA and VIC races? Only time will tell.
With over 160 riders, it’s clear that the MTB industry is picking up in NSW. Maybe over the next few years we will start seeing comparable numbers to SA and VIC races? Only time will tell.

For more photos and a video debrief from Del Rio, visitA�www.jaimeblack.com.au

The next round of the Red Ass NSW State DH Series is at Ourimbah on August 24/25. Check Rocky Trail Entertainment for more info.

Inside Info – Connor Fearon – Val di Sole

Val di Sole is a track Connor has always done well on. We will let him fill you in on his weekend...
Val di Sole is a track Connor has always done well on. We will let him fill you in on his weekend…

A hectic schedule for the first two World Cups of theA�year had riders trying to get up to speed as soon as possible, with Connor Fearon back in Australia he gives us the Inside Info on his Val di Sole Experience;

downhill247com Inside Info cf1

36th in qualifying meant Connor comfortably would be in the main show come Sunday.
36th in qualifying meant Connor comfortably would be in the main show come Sunday.

downhill247com Inside Info cf2

Pick Of The Pics – World Cup 2 – Val di Sole

Sam Hill and that pink kit/rig, it was for a fantastic cause and after 5th in qualifying he was looking to give it a gold tinge come race day! A crash didn't make it happen but the time lost from the video of the crash shows Sam was right in the hunt.
Sam Hill and that pink kit/rig, it was for a fantastic cause and after 5th in qualifying he was looking to give it a gold tinge come race day! A crash didn’t make it happen but checking the time lost from a video of the crash shows Sam was right in the hunt.

You know what they say “time flies when you’re having fun”, Val Di Sole was onlyA�the otherA�week but already feels much longer than that! Let us have a look back at a few more banging images from the event, enjoy!

Dean Lucas took his maiden win and had Australia stoked - we didn't learn until after how bent his derailleur was, almost a show stopper! Some times luck goes your way.
Dean Lucas took his maiden win and had Australia stoked – we didn’t learn until after how bent his derailleur was, almost a show stopper! Some times luck goes your way.
By itself the track is crazy enough, add the changing dynamic as run after run creates new lines the whole way down.
By itself the track is crazy enough, add the changing dynamic as run after run creates new lines the whole way down and you just never know what lines are going to appear.
Get your line wrong and you know what is going to happen...
Get your line wrong and you know what is going to happen…
Team-mates Troy Brosnan and Aaron Gwin scouting lines.
Team-mates Troy Brosnan and Aaron Gwin scouting lines.
Finals saw Troy get on the podium in 5th and Gwin was just behind him in 6th.
Finals saw Troy get on the podium in 5th and Aaron was just behind him in 6th.
Rooosssttttt!
Rooosssttttt!
The most photographed guy on the hill? Quite possibly (excuse the pun!) Image: Friedrich Simon Kugi
The most photographed guy on the hill? Quite possibly (excuse the pun!) Image: Friedrich Simon Kugi
You have to feel that Stevie Smith is going to grab another win sooner rather then later!
You have to feel that Stevie Smith is going to grab another win sooner rather then later!
Solid result for Luke Ellison, most of the juniors have headed home and are preparing for the World Champs. Image: Friedrich Simon Kugi
Solid result for Luke Ellison, most of the juniors have headed home and are preparing for the World Champs. Image: Friedrich Simon Kugi
Some juniors will continue on the World Cup circuit until Worlds though.
Some juniors will continue on the World Cup circuit until Worlds though.
Not easy to camouflage in that get up... Image: Friedrich Simon Kugi
Not easy to camouflage in that get up… Image: Friedrich Simon Kugi
The track was pretty deadly on bikes, evidence here!
The track was pretty deadly on bikes, evidence here!

We have a break for a little while before round 3 in Andorra.

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