Tag: World Cup

Cairns World Cup 2 – Finals

Finals day!
Finals day!

We are Australian so we might be a little biased but the Cairns world cup was one of the best we have witnessed in some time! There were some truly amazing highs (as well as a few lows – after all that is racing), the day kicked off with a short practice session in the morning before the crowd started filing through the gates and lining the course.

One hour of practice was all the riders had to check the course and finalise their lines.
One hour of practice was all the riders had to check the course and finalise their lines.

The juniors kicked off proceedings and there was high expectations with a large number of riders all keen to impress at their home race. In the end impress they did with 4 out of the top 5 spots going to Australians. In 5th was Josh Clark, 4th was Jackson Frew, 3rd was Harry Bush and 2nd was Remy Morton. The win went to Matt Walker from Great Britain.

15th for Harry Parsons.
15th for Harry Parsons.
17th for Darcy Coutts.
17th for Darcy Coutts.
It was a nice sight seeing everyone on the hot seat and it almost finished this way...
It was a nice sight seeing everyone on the hot seat and it almost finished this way…

Next up were the senior females and it was evident who the crowd was cheering for, the home town Hannah! In this case Tracey, she put down a stomping run and finished second, it was Rachel Atherton that took the win but boy was the crowd lapping Tracey up!

Fourth for Tahnee Seagrave.
Fourth for Tahnee Seagrave.
Tracey Hannah was second on the time sheet.
Tracey Hannah was second on the time sheet.
But first in the eyes of the locals!
But first in the eyes of the locals!
Rachel Atherton was ahead of Tracey this race.
Rachel Atherton was ahead of Tracey this race.

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One happy camper!
One happy camper!

At 2pm it was time for the men to start their race runs, 80 riders, one winner! Here are some observations from the afternoon;A�Stevie Smith got a flat front tyre, Greg Minnaar commented he didn’t have any issues with his run but still had a result that wasn’t up to his standards, much the same for Gee Atherton and Sam Hill was battling an illness in the week leading up to the race finishing 28th.

Gee Atherton sprinting for the line, head down showing the physical effort required in the end.
Gee Atherton sprinting for the line, head down showing the physical effort required in the end.
Brendan Fairclough after having a few crashes during the week.
Brendan Fairclough after having a few crashes during the week.
Graeme Mudd had an absolute blinder and ended up in 8th place.
Graeme Mudd had an absolute blinder and ended up in 8th place.
Dean Lucas finished 41st with team mate Jack Moir in 40th.
Dean Lucas finished 41st with team mate Jack Moir in 40th.
David McMillan isn't racing the world cup series this year so this was his retirement race (for this year anyway).
David McMillan isn’t racing the world cup series this year so this was his retirement race (for this year anyway).
Tough day for Sam Blenkinsop who said hello to the ground during his run.
Tough day for Sam Blenkinsop who said hello to the ground during his run.
A lot of riders did!
A lot of riders did!
The draining nature of the course was evident to see as riders came into the finish arena.
The draining nature of the course was evident to see as riders came into the finish arena.
A front wheel flat for Stevie Smith near the rock garden put an end to his race.
A front wheel flat for Stevie Smith near the rock garden put an end to his race.
A smiling Luca Shaw ended up in 13th.
A smiling Luca Shaw ended up in 13th.

Without doubt one of the highlights of the weekend for us was the result of one man – Josh Button – after having stepped away from racing World Cups since 2012 Josh has been keeping things low key, until Cairns that was! He put in a stomping run to claim the hot seat from Graeme Mudd and he was sitting there for a very long time…At first we were hoping he wouldn’t get knocked out of the top 20, then the top 15 before finally the top 10… then we began to dream, a podium?! We all knew JB had the skills, then sure enough there were 4 riders left and Josh was in range. In the end he did claim one – 5th place, JB you’ve done it again!

What did Josh have for breakfast because it obviously worked...
What did Josh have for breakfast because it obviously worked…
Lapping up the hot seat and the water!
Lapping up the hot seat and the water!

There were still 4 riders to go, Loic Bruni was on the hot seat with AAron Gwin unable to better his time, there were just 2 riders left, both Australian. Sik Mik Hannah knows Cairns like the back of his hand having grown up here, with sister Tracey coming close in the women’s everyone was hoping mic could finish one step higher. He put in a cracking run but ended up in second place. This left Troy Brosnan as the last rider on course, the whole way down the times were so close, it looked like he might have done it just before he crossed the line where the timing board showed he was just 0.493 seconds down! In the process this handed Loic his first ever world cup win.

Troy Brosnan missed out by almost nothing on his second world cup win.
Troy Brosnan missed out by almost nothing on his second world cup win.
Loic Bruni charging for the line and his first world cup victory.
Loic Bruni charging for the line and his first world cup victory.
Loris Vergier cranking for the line.
Loris Vergier cranking for the line.
Connor Fearon slipped a pedal and ended up in 12th.
Connor Fearon slipped a pedal and ended up in 12th.
Winners are grinners!
Winners are grinners!
JB you've done it again...
JB you’ve done it again…

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We have a smorgasbord of images to show you guys from the week so check back for those soon.

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Cairns World Cup 2 – Qualifying

Today was qualifying and the best day of conditions yet!
Today was qualifying and the best day of conditions yet!

With the sun shining and the birds chirping (they were mimicking the course marshal’s whistles’) today was qualifying day and what A�a day it was. The track had some noticeable lines starting to appear down the course for riders to take but the rock garden near the top was still catching people out, much like the whoops mid way down.

There were still a few wet slippery sections on the track catching people out.
There were still a few wet slippery sections on the track catching people out.

We have listed the top results in class below as well as some shots from the day, enjoy:

Junior Men:

1. Matt Walker
2. Harry Bush
3. Remy Morton

Senior Women:

1. Rachel Atherton
2. Manon Carpenter
3. A�Tracey Hannah

Senior Men:
1. Troy Brosnan
2. Mik Hannah
3. Aaron Gwin

Harry Bush qualified second in the junior men's class, we are hoping to see plenty of Aussies on the podium tomorrow.
Harry Bush qualified second in the junior men’s class, we are hoping to see plenty of Aussies on the podium tomorrow.
The juniors had all sorts of style!
The juniors had all sorts of style!
A tough day for Finn Illes who had an incident during his run.
A tough day for Finn Illes who had an incident during his run.
The Aussies making the most of the home track advantage!
The Aussies making the most of the home track advantage!
Jackson Frew blowing past.
Jackson Frew blowing past.
There are a lot of eyes on these 2 this weekend, the Hannahs are as local as you get!
There are a lot of eyes on these 2 this weekend, the Hannahs are as local as you get!
Mik qualified second and Tracey third.
Mik qualified second and Tracey third.
In fact there were Aussies all through the top 80.
In fact there were Aussies all through the top 80.
#svenapproved
#svenapproved
Loic Bruni making shapes...
Loic Bruni making shapes…
Innes Graham on the hunt...
Innes Graham on the hunt…
Luca Shaw negotiating the 'Alien Tree' section.
Luca Shaw negotiating the ‘Alien Tree’ section.

Tomorrow is the big day, check back for our finals report soon.

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

Cairns World Cup 2 – Practice

Cairns has some interesting wildlife but we are not the Irwins so let's get on with it...
Cairns has some interesting wildlife but we are not the Irwins so let’s get on with it…

Here we are, Cairns in far North Queensland, for the second round of the UCI World Cup series. Everyone remembers 2014 and the mud bath that was… After a dry track walk everyone was positive. Unfortunately there was some rain that fell during the day that made the rocks super slippery. The track itself hasn’t changed much from last time we were here but the forecast is looking positive for a drier race.

Riders at the top before they drop in and start their runs...
Riders at the top before they drop in and start their runs…

There were a few crashes over the day that meant practiced was put on hold and time on the bike was shorter than expected but let’s look at the action.

Rachel Atherton taking on the course early in the day.
Rachel Atherton taking on the course early in the day.
There are a lot of juniors racing this weekend, their green and gold jersey was easy to spot.
There are a lot of juniors racing this weekend, their green and gold jersey was easy to spot.
Even the world champion wasn't immune from the rocks...
Even the world champion wasn’t immune from the rocks…
Stevie Smith is back and boosting!
Stevie Smith is back and boosting!
Aaron Gwin is holding the number 1 plate after the first round, he was 5th in timed practice, Loic Bruni was the fastest.
Aaron Gwin is holding the number 1 plate after the first round, he was 5th in timed practice, Loic Bruni was the fastest.
The juniors is as hotly contested as ever, we hope to see an Aussie on the top step.
The juniors is as hotly contested as ever, we hope to see an Aussie on the top step.
We would love to see an Aussie on the top step in the senior classes, with Tracey Hannah fastest in timed practice this is definitely a possibility.
We would love to see an Aussie on the top step in the senior classes, with Tracey Hannah fastest in timed practice this is definitely a possibility.
Brendan Fairclough going OTB! He went down hard and wrecked his helmet but we saw him punching runs fast later in the day so he must be okay.
Brendan Fairclough going OTB! He went down hard and wrecked his helmet but we saw him punching runs fast later in the day so he must be okay.

A39Y0146

He got up and kept charging later in the day though!
He got up and kept charging later in the day though!
The wooded sections were quite dark when the clouds rolled over throughout the day, Troy Brosnan laying down a top 5 time in timed training.
The wooded sections were quite dark when the clouds rolled over throughout the day, Troy Brosnan laying down a top 5 time in timed training.
Sam Hill looking to drop his number at his home race!
Sam Hill looking to drop his number at his home race!

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The juniors were walking the track after practice.
The juniors were walking the track after practice.
Connor Fearon boosting as usual.
Connor Fearon boosting as usual.
Warp speed..
Warp speed..

Check back for qualifying tomorrow!

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

World Cup 1 – Lourdes

It was good to get back into the mountains but Mother Nature really wanted to test us this weekend...
It was good to get back into the mountains but Mother Nature really wanted to test us this weekend…

Racing is back and more specifically the highest form of racing in our sport – World Cups. It was Lourdes, France that played host to round one just as it did last year. Being the first round meant that we were still adjusting to all the team reshuffles that have occurred during the off season.

There were some familiar faces getting around the pits.
There were some familiar faces getting around the pits.
You feel those with a familiar team and bike set up might have had some advantage but in this sport nothing is a given.
You feel those with a familiar team and bike set up might have had some advantage but in this sport nothing is a given.
Remy Morton all smiles!
Remy Morton all smiles!

Overall the track itself was similar to what we have seen in the past but the weather this year really made the event interesting. Large amounts of rain made the track very slippery – during practice and qualifying it seemed as if there were more people crashing during their runs then those staying upright! By the finals, for the senior men anyway, most of the moisture had disappeared meaning their first run on a dry track was the run that counted!

Not quite chairlifts but at least you didn't have to ride and with the cold any extra heat was a bonus!
Not quite chairlifts but at least you didn’t have to ride and with the cold any extra heat was a bonus!
Steve Peat starting off what will be his final World Cup season...
Steve Peat starting off what will be his final World Cup season…

The juniors is always an interesting race, especially at the start of the season, you never know who is going to come up on top. It was Finn Illes who was victorious, no doubt we will see more of Finn this year but there are plenty of other fast juniors, including Aussies who will be in the mix.

Tracey Hannah matched her plate with a 4th placed finish. Let's see what she can do in Cairns!
Tracey Hannah matched her plate with a 4th placed finish. Let’s see what she can do in Cairns!
Manon Carpenter will be hoping to repeat her 2014 season where her form was red hot, this race she was still on the podium in 3rd place.
Manon Carpenter will be hoping to repeat her 2014 season where her form was red hot, this race she was still on the podium in 3rd place.
Tahnee Seagrave is looking fast this year finishing second. As has been a trend over the past few years Rachel Atherton took the win, the first on her new bike/team.
Tahnee Seagrave is looking fast this year finishing second. As has been a trend over the past few years Rachel Atherton took the win, the first on her new bike/team.

The crowd in Lourdes was just crazy, even over the live feed you could hear them let a lone track side. This amped things up even more come finals.

Dean Lucas is one hard man... if you saw his crash you would no why! Here he looks up the hill at what could have been - in the top 15 before he crashed... roll on Cairns
Dean Lucas is one hard man… if you saw his crash you would no why! Here he looks up the hill at what could have been – in the top 15 before he crashed… roll on Cairns
Sam Hill with an unfamiliar plate on the front of his bike... he will come good as the season continues.
Sam Hill with an unfamiliar plate on the front of his bike… he will come good as the season continues.
The big jump into the final arena saw riders with one last challenge before the finish line.
The big jump into the final arena saw riders with one last challenge before the finish line.

Some random musings we noticed were; a few fast (relatively unknown) Frenchman putting in flyers to finish strongly, mainly Flo Payet in 12th and Amaury Pierron in 5th! Riders who took a chance either crashed or got rewarded with a strong finish.

9th for Connor Fearon will have him confident coming into his home World Cup.
9th for Connor Fearon will have him confident coming into his home World Cup.
Josh Bryceland looked blistering across the top of the course, this translated into 6th place.
Josh Bryceland looked blistering across the top of the course, this translated into 6th place.
Troy Brosnan came home in 4th - we can't wait to see his kit for Cairns!
Troy Brosnan came home in 4th – we can’t wait to see his kit for Cairns!
Fastest qualifier and at his home World Cup - Loic Bruni was enjoying life!
Fastest qualifier and at his home World Cup – Loic Bruni was enjoying life!
Fastest through the splits by some 2.5 seconds until it came undone... and with it his first world cup victory.
Fastest through the splits by some 2.5 seconds until it came undone… and with it his first world cup victory.
New team and he still managed to show everyone how it was done... Aaron Gwin with a near perfect start to the season!
New team and he still managed to show everyone how it was done… Aaron Gwin with a near perfect start to the season!
Smiles and a thumbs up from Mr America.
Smiles and a thumbs up from Mr America.
A great start to the season... roll on World Cup number 2.
A great start to the season… roll on World Cup number 2.

The next round sees riders heading down under to Cairns and boy are we excited about this!

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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.

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