Tag: Windham

World Cup 6 – Windham – Finals

Race day, Windham, 2015.
Race day, Windham, 2015.

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.
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.
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.
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.
Man or machine?
Man or machine?
Absolutely no denying Aaron Gwins speed, it looked as if he was in fast-forward mode.
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.
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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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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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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Inside Info: Connor Fearon – North America

Connor Fearon at MSA the race didn't go as plan for him though....
Connor Fearon at MSA the race didn’t go as plan for him though….

There was a big 6 week gap spanning from Leogang to the Canada World Cup so I went home and trained for a couple weeks then travelled to Bromont, Quebec to base myself for a couple weeks before the World Cup. I trained and rode my downhill bike a lot at the bike park. At home we don’t have the luxury of chair lift accessible trails and it’s also winter so I wasn’t riding to much downhill at home.

As some of you might already know MSA didn’t go to plan at all. I had a infected graze that I got from crashing in Bromont a few days prior to the race. On the Thursday and Friday (practice day and qualifying day) I felt really tired and I wasn’t having fun on my bike. I had no idea why but I wasn’t riding well and I didn’t even want to ride. Turns out it was the start of the infection hitting me. To make things worse I got a flat tyre in qualifying so I acquired no points, although being a top 20 rider I was luckily auto qualified. I went to the doctor after qualifying because my elbow was slightly swollen and got a iv drip and anti-biotics.
I woke up on race day with the biggest swellbo ever. It was really sore to move and I felt really sick, dazed and had a headache. There was no way I could race and I was devastated. I was plate number 16 and my goal this year was to finish top 15, so missing a race definitely has made it a lot harder to reach the goal!

The life and times of a pro rider isn't all beer and Skittles!
The life and times of a pro rider isn’t all beer and Skittles!

Luckily after 4 days of getting IV drips at 2 different hospitals and a course of oral antibiotics the infection had cleared and I was good to go for Windham. I have raced at Windham twice now in 2011 and 2012. Neither times I got a result worth remembering because I had rode off the track in the same infamous rock garden both times. The track is really short, rough and fast. The times are always really close so everyone pushes to the limit making it a very hard race.

On the hunt but a massive infection meant the closest Connor got to racing was the sideline!
On the hunt but a massive infection meant the closest Connor got to racing was the sideline!

I had so much fun riding the track and felt really good. I was slightly disappointed when I qualified 22nd though. I worked on a few things in practice to gain some time, although it all really comes down to just riding really fast because there’s not many lines to change. My race run was good I made a few little mistakes but it was hard not to because you have to push so hard. I ended up 17th, I wanted to be further up the ranks but not a bad result coming from the infection. Unfortunately after coming into wc #5 with the number 16 plate I moved back to 23 after missing Mont st Anne and despite finishing 17th at Windham I moved back to 25. It’s a little depressing working so hard and being back where I finished last year, I have one more World Cup to try to reel back some positions.

A top 20 in Windham didn't move Connor back into the top 20 overall, one more race remains for Connor to do so.
A top 20 in Windham didn’t move Connor back into the top 20 overall, one more race remains for Connor to do so.

One thing worth mentioning is that I was fastest rider on a 26″ wheel. I can’t use it as an excuse but I think it is making it a little more difficult competing against everyone with the 650b wheels when there’s a small but obvious advantage. Things are in the works and I’m sure it won’t be to long before Kona have a 650b bike for me to race.
The last few weeks has made me realise in this sport nothing you can do will guarantee success. Weather you get sick, crash, get a mechanical, ride out of your ability or keep it to safe it all makes it hard to have a perfect race or season.
So right now I’m sitting in Montreal Airport about to fly to whistler. I’m really looking forward to riding the best tracks in the world and do some races that aren’t so serious and don’t come with all the pressure of a World Cup. Massive thanks to all the people that help me out especially Kona Bikes, SRAM, Rockshox, Stans No Tubes, Maxxis, Truvativ, Yakima Racks, Swift Supplements and Breese High Performance.

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Photos: Jason Stevens Photography. Facebook:A�www.facebook.com/jasonstevensphotographyA�or follow @jasonstevensphotography on Instagram

World Cup Round 6, Windham – Finals

'Focused' - captioned by Troy Brosnan himself
‘Focused’ – captioned by Troy Brosnan himself

Today we wanted to do something a little different for everyone, so we aren’t writing this report, today we are handing over the reins to Max Warshawsky, our fastest Junior of the day, the words are his and the images will be picked by him also.

Max Warshawsky looking quick into the finish gate

Riders were greeted to a even dustier and blown out course today, with the rain staying away overnight and throughout the day. Although it didn’t seem to make the track any slower, just more sketchy and wild with some big ruts and holes forming in most sections.

Greg Minaar looking forward towards the finish
Greg Minaar looking forward towards the finish

Racing kicked off with the Junior Men’s category which saw times drop a lot quicker from qualifying yesterday. The crowd was pretty nuts from early on in the day with chainsaws being a regular down the hill. I managed toA� have a clean run down the hill and it was just good enough to hop into the hot seat andA� bump Andrew Crimmins into second with 7 riders left to go. I didn’t end up staying there too long but still stoked to end up in 6th and Andrew in 7th. The Brit Taylor Vernon ended up putting together a pearler for the win, in front of the homeboy ‘merican Luca Shaw and Loris Vergier in third.

Taylor Vernon on a mission
Taylor Vernon on a mission
Luca Shaw looking spent and dissapointed not to take the win on home soil
Luca Shaw looking spent and dissapointed not to take the win on home soil

The women came next with Teegan coming down first and taking the hot seat, but only quickly as the women started crossing the line, the times were very tight throughout the women until it came to the top ladies, then the times started spacing out, with the top girls taking large chunks out of each others times. Micayla Gatto had a huge crash which closed the track and got Tahnee Seagrave a re-run, it also meant that Manon Carpenter put a 6 second gap on her closest competitor. Emmeline Ragot came down to take the hot seat, and Rachel Atherton couldnt better her time, leaving Emmeline with the win for the day

Emmaline Ragot slaying the rocks
Emmaline Ragot slaying the rocks

This left only the men, the main show, right for the start the times were really close with the hot seat changing lots and the gaps being sub 1 second. Mick Jones came down on a flyer and took the hot seat for quite some time, edging out both of his team mates. He stayed on the hot seat until Sam Blenkinsop came down and knocked him off, this started the hot seat swap again, with Troy Brosnan taking the seat and then Aaron Gwin, leaving just Josh Bryceland to try and take the win. Times were close at the first split, sub 1 second again, but by the second split Josh ahd increased the gap to over 2 seconds almost ensuring he took the win. This makes Josh this seasons first repeat winner.

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Junior Men
1. Taylor Vernon
2. Luca Shaw
3. Loris Vergier
4. Niel Stewart
5. Thomas Estaque

Elite Women
1. Emmaline Ragot
2. Rachel Atherton
3. Tracey Hannah
4. Manon Carpenter
5. Tahnee Seagrave

Elite Men
1. Josh Bryceland
2. Aaron Gwin
3. Troy Brosnan
4 Sam Blenkinsop
5. Brook Macdonald

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Words: Max Warshawsky Photos: Jason Stevens Photography. Facebook: www.facebook.com/jasonstevensphotographyA�or follow @jasonstevensphotography on Instagram

World Cup Round 6, Windham a�� Qualifying

Luca Shaw basking in the sunlight
Luca Shaw basking in the sunlight

We woke up to another cracker of a day, with the sun shining and the clouds hiding you would not of guessed that last night it rained heavily for a few hours, on the lift up the hill before practice it would appear looking at the track you wouldn’t know either, with the track looking just as dry as it did yesterday. Inside the woods was more damp than it was by the end of yesterday, but the open areas were almost as we left them. As the riders bega to flow down the hill we realized that times today were going to be very tight and very quick. Qualifying would be a challenge for everyone involved. It would appear that lots of riders felt the same way, pushing very hard, with lots of crashes in early practice, many over the bars, with a few serious incidents.

It doesn't matter how fast Dave McMillan is going, there is always time for style
It doesn’t matter how fast Dave McMillan is going, there is always time for style

As practice for the A group wrapped up we were astounded at the speed some of the guys were going, Aaron Gwin was especially impressive through the rougher sections, looking good as a local favorite to be on the podium tomorrow.

The juniors started rolling down the hill and Luca shaw looked quick, as always. He took the hot seat, and never left it, yet again, qualifying on top. Something to note is that Aussie Junior Max Warshawsky placed 8th and that makes him the fastest Australian Junior today.

Max Warshawsky was looking on pace all day
Max Warshawsky was looking on pace all day

This had the women coming down next, with Manon coming down first as usual, however she didn’t sit on the top spot for very long, with country-woman Rachel Atherton coming down to knock her from the top spot and claim the last run down for the women tomorrow.

Rachel Atherton was looking cool, claml and collected. Not to mention ridiculously fast, much like the Rachel of old
Rachel Atherton was looking cool, claml and collected. Not to mention ridiculously fast, much like the Rachel of old

This just left the Elite men to come down, and did they come down! We were absolutely blown away at the speed these guys are riding, they were all so fast it was extremely hard to distinguish a faster rider from where we sat, we had to listen to the echos of the announcer to get any indicator of who was riding fastest. Josh Bryceland took the las run honours, followed very closely by Aaron Gwin and Neko Mullaly, two local USA Boys.

Ratboy getting foot loose, and claiming the top qualifying spot again
Ratboy getting foot loose, and claiming the top qualifying spot again

Qualifying results are as follows:

Junior Men:
1. Luca Shaw
2. Thomas Estaque
3. Ferran Jorba Prats
4. Loris Vergier
5. Taylor Vernon

Elite Women:
1. A�Rachel Atheron
2. Emmeline Ragot
3. Tracey Hannah
4.A� Manon Carpenter
5. Jill Kitner

Elite Men
1. Josh Bryceland
2. Aaron Gwin
3. Neko Mullaly
4. Troy Brosnan
5. Loic Bruni

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Tune in with Downhill247 for the latest news and photos (and more).
Facebook.com/downhill247
Instagram: @downhill247

Report: Jason Stevens Photography.A�Facebook:A�www.facebook.com/jasonstevensphotographyA�or follow @jasonstevensphotography on Instagram

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