Tag: Granton

VicDH – Round 2 – Granton

Welcome to VicDH Round 2! Angus Jackson makes his way through the low cloud, which settled on the top sections of the track.
Welcome to VicDH Round 2! Angus Jackson makes his way through the low cloud, which settled on the top sections of the track.

Welcome to Granton, the location of the second round of the VDHS. Nestled in some Australian bushland the track was partially destroyed by bushfires in 2009. The conditions for the weekend seemed less than optimal with a forecast predicting rain all weekend, and upon arrival it was evident that, for Saturday at least the weather man was spot on.

Dion Thomas looked to be dominating in the wet; right at home in Saturday's horrendous conditions.
Dion Thomas looked to be dominating in the wet; right at home in Saturday’s horrendous conditions.
Jesse Beare pushes down the track, with his game face on.
Jesse Beare pushes down the track, with his game face on.

The air was damp, the track was saturated and very slippy! As riders began to make their way down the track the clay beneath the top soil started to rear its head, making clogged tires grip even less!

It didn't really matter whether you had spikes or not, this mud was going to stick to and clog everything.
It didn’t really matter whether you had spikes or not, this mud was going to stick to and clog everything.
Louis Armitage pushes hard into the berm with full confidence in the traction of his tires.
Louis Armitage pushes hard into the berm with full confidence in the traction of his tires.

That didnt stop the smiles through the mud caked faces though! Saturday practice was full of carnage with riders sliding off line and off track from top to bottom.

Jackson Davis puts the power down mid-powerslide on the slippery berm.
Jackson Davis puts the power down mid-powerslide on the slippery berm.
Ian Jones shows everyone how it's done, flowing over the drop.
Ian Jones shows everyone how it’s done, flowing over the drop.

The concept of practicing became more like an active game of avoidance with riders sprawled out everywhere. The sun did eventually show its head Saturday, but only momentarily, but the fleeting sunlight did aid in the drying of the track and improving the conditions. Although, saying that itA�may of slowed the tracks running time down by making it very sticky.

Something learnt from world cups? Or just something a little bit ghetto?
Something learnt from world cups? Or just something a little bit ghetto?
Ben Crundwell gets some heckling from Nato on his way over the larger jump at the business end of the Granton. Fun times for all!
Ben Crundwell gets some heckling from Nato on his way over the larger jump at the business end of the Granton. Fun times for all!

Sunday arrived and suprisingly so did some sunshine, the rain appeared to of moved on and the track was in great condition, riders began flowing down track in a much more consitant ride and the weather conditions now made it favourable to ride.

Max Kreuzer navigates some slippery roots that caught many riders out. Sunday brought only some relief.
Max Kreuzer navigates some slippery roots that caught many riders out. Sunday brought only some relief.
Lachlan Gibson shows off some style over one of the bigger kickers.
Lachlan Gibson shows off some style over one of the bigger kickers.

More and more of the bigger lines were being hit and soon enough all the top riders were taking enormous slabs of time off the previous days efforts with riders coming past noticably quicker. By the time qualifying began the track had almost dried out enough that there were areas of loose top soil forming.

Fabian Bill throws in some steeze on his last practice run!
Fabian Bill throws in some steeze on his last practice run!
Jackson Davis gets loose on what is a deceptively slippery corner.
Jackson Davis gets loose on what is a deceptively slippery corner.
Matt Kelly came through the top rocks, very quick with a solid line choice on Sunday morning.
Matt Kelly came through the top rocks, very quick with a solid line choice on Sunday morning.

With Qualifying wrapped up Trent Piribaer took the top quali spot. With racing beginning the only change to the track was the amount of riding happening on it, there was no rain and no altering of conditions making for fair racing and tight times. At the end of the day Dean Lucas walked away with honour’s in Elite Men and Sarah Booth took the top spot in Elite Women.

Round 2 winner Dean Lucas boosts a part of the track that many struggled with, leaving no doubt in his title of Australia's Junior Mountain Biker of the Year.
Round 2 winner Dean Lucas boosts a part of the track that many struggled with, leaving no doubt in his title of Australia’s Junior Mountain Biker of the Year.
Elite Men's Podium
Elite Mens Podium

Elite Men’s Podium
1 Dean Lucas
2 Jesse Beare
3 Oli Zwar
4 Trent Piribauer
5 Joel Panozzo

That wraps up round 2, plenty more action on it’s way soon though!

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