2016 Australian Nationals, Round 3 - Thredbo, DH Finals

Australian Nationals Round Three Thredbo 2016

Bluebird skies, and a dry, fast course on race day will push riders to the limits, to show who is willing to risk it all for the glory during round 3 of 4 in the Australian National Downhill series.

Morning practice was a short affair with most riders getting only one run in before the start was closed and the course swept. Here Bilt rider Ben Dengate soaks up the morning sun and crisp air over the finish jump.

Morning practice was a short affair, with most riders getting just one run in before the start was closed and the course cleared. Here Bilt rider, Ben Dengate soaks up the morning sun and crisp air over the finish jump.

A very full pit area illustrates the popularity of Thredbo events soon to be bustling with riders prepping for their seeding runs.

A packed pit area illustrates the popularity of Thredbo events, soon to be bustling with riders preparing for their seeding runs.

Riders line up for their seeding runs; their last chance to admire the view before dropping in for their second to last run of the weekend.

Last chance to shake off the nerves...

XCO, Road and Downhill champion, Matthew Dinham wears the #1 plate all weekend in his category and quite often takes the top step. Today he was trumped by Pat Butler and Kye A'hern, to land in 3rd place by nearly 5 seconds in the U17s.

Seeding should be taken seriously, but not that seriously...

After a weekend of sun, the dried out course opens up in the corners to reveal new holes and growing braking bumps, in case riders were getting too comfortable.

Mondraker Australia team rider, Josh Clark never disappoints with speed and style. And with those glowing red locks, he is very hard to miss!

Junior men's rider, Baxter Maiwald boosts over some rough trail halfway down the course on his Giant Glory.

Thredbo is definitely a favourite on the national circuit, mainly for its speedy uplift and refined trail.

Andrew Crimmins taking the home trail at full pace, before a mechanical meant he had to borrow a bike for racing.

Muddy showing his intent with with a fast seeding run showing that he has settled in very well to the new bike.

Muddy showing his intent with a fast seeding run, showing that he has settled in very well to the new bike.

Ben Dengate, standing out against the summer mountain backdrop in his Bilt Bikes X Dharco kit as he rails a triple berm forest section named '3 Little Pigs'.

Matt McCorkell pilots his Devinci Wilson out of 3 little pigs, nearing the bottom with no signs of fatigue on the crushingly long course.

Ben Cory larger than life around the wallride during his seed run. After taking 6th at Stromlo Ben would be one to watch come racing in the afternoon.

Ben Cory, larger than life around the wallride during his seeding run. After taking 6th at Stromlo, Ben would be one to watch come racing in the afternoon.

Schedule compromises meant a 2 hour break between seeding and racing leaving riders with time to relax and zen out before their race runs. This rider takes the time an ice-bath style dip in the alpine stream that splits the village from the mountain.

Schedule compromises with the short-course XC meant a 2-hour break between seeding and racing, leaving riders with time to relax and zen out before their race runs. This rider takes the time an ice-bath style dip in the alpine stream that splits the village from the mountain.

Team Mondraker, taking the break as down-time to hang out and avoid the harsh Aussie sun.

Time to head up the hill for racing.

Flats meant a potentially long walk down the hill - open men's Adrian Schellen saves his rim and takes the disappointed walk down to the pit and calls it a weekend.

Zelvy junior rider, Cam Cubit floats the finish area step down for the crowd.

Factory GT junior, Jackson Frew, all speed and style out of the last turn and into first place, 6 seconds quicker than Baxter Maiwald, who is also getting familiar with podium this year.

Michelle Crisp, ever consistent in achieving a step on the podium, but not reaching the top step today. Two events left for Crisp to show what she's made of!

Vic Armstrong, newly signed to the Summit Cycles Devinci team empties the tank across the line to take 6th place, just outside of the podium.

Tied series leader, Danielle Beecroft charges down the hill, chasing the win and hoping she has enough to stay ahead of Tegan Molloy.

Tegan Molloy sends it on the finish jump to take the win from Danielle Beecroft by a blistering 8.5 seconds.

Tegan sends it on the finish jump, to take the win nonchalantly from Danielle Beecroft by a blistering 8.5 seconds.

The finish arena was made to be spectated. Riders who'd finished for the weekend, family and partners pulled up a patch of grass to watch the last riders give it their all across the line.

The final tabletop packed some serious kick for those who wouldn't suck it up - Cameron Allonby takes his opportunity to throw it sideways for the spectators.

Ben Cory crosses the line with a respectable 4:46:39, stealing the hot seat momentarily. Cory would end up with 9th place, in a stacked field of seasoned racers.

The crowd holds their breath as Jared Graves approaches the finish with convincing speed - but is it going to be enough?

Across the line with the quickest time thus far, Graves settling into the hot seat with just one rider to go - Graeme Mudd. An unprecedented time on the adjusted Thredbo race course - on an Enduro bike - even after admittedly "getting a bit happy" in an early section and miss-clipping, which cost Jared crucial time.

Unbelievably Muddy takes it from Graves by a second and a half and cries out with joy upon realising he has taken the his first ever Nationals win - despite taking the series last year overall.

Unbelievably, Muddy takes it from Graves by a second and a half and cries out with joy upon realising he has taken his first ever Nationals win - despite taking the series last year overall.

Catching his breath, Mudd couldn't wipe the smile from his face. Such an impressive feat to take the win from under the likes of Graves, and Thredbo regulars such as Thomas Crimmins.

The stoke is real, as Mudd takes interviews about his flawless run.

And there we have it - another huge weekend of racing from Mountain Bike Australia for the 2015/16 National Series. The next round is in Toowoomba, QLD from March 4-6, followed by National Championships in Bright, Victoria. Visit the MTBA website for more info and entry. Full results from Round 3 of the DHI and Round 5 of the XCO at Thredbo can be found HERE.

MENTIONS: @Tegs / @RideDirtWake

Posted In:
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RideDirtWake
Member since Dec 4, 2008
10 articles

6 Comments

11 0

snook (Feb 8, 2016 at 4:13)

Mudd, Hill, (Matt and Nick) Beer, the collection of excellently apt downhill names continues to grow.

bikerchef1 (Feb 8, 2016 at 4:57)

Think i would rather take my chances on the course with a flat Adrian Schellen,the copper heads are out in force at the moment!! :-)

shimanodx (Feb 8, 2016 at 15:21)

Muddy's secret to winning - "ghosty's" - www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc32M8gFUJo

RideDirtWake (Feb 8, 2016 at 23:07)

That's incredible, I hadn't seen it before. Magic?!

OTDFilms (May 20, 2016 at 4:55)

Where is all the information about the Series???? It's not on mtba please help me haha

wally333 (Feb 8, 2016 at 13:04)

at least one west coast rider there yeiowwww Aaron Leagas !!! (in red gear above andrew crimmons corner pic )