Utopia Optics’ Jared Graves claims Australian Downhill CrownUtopia’s Jared Graves found two seconds was enough to win the 2007 Australian Downhill Champion title in Canberra on Sunday. Riding against some of the world's best riders, the 24 year-old from Toowoomba had a clean run to finish in 3.19.86. Graves, the 2005 world silver medalist, has been focused on his specialty of mountain cross (and most recently professional BMX) but that didn't stop him from winning his first national downhill title.
Defending national champion, Utopia’s Nathan Rennie could not repeat last year's win but claimed second with 3.22.05. Despite failing to repeat his sensational 2006 victory, currently ranked third in the world, Rennie was too fast for Canberra based Jared Rando who finished a creditable third with a 3.24.21.
The fastest time in the Elite Women's category was posted by 'local' Julia Boer. Unfortunately for Boer, she was unable to claim the champion’s jersey as the Hungarian citizen is not eligible for a national placing. The citizenship technicality meant that second fastest on the day Joanne Fox (wearing Utopia goggles) took out the Elite Women's Australian Downhill Championship with a superb 4.13.
Utopia’s Mitchell Delfs dominated the Under 19 Men's category in style with his 3.24.77 enough to take the win, and equivalent of a top 10 Elite Men's placing. The West Australian won the event from Will Rischbieth and Joshua Button.
Elite Men:
1. Jared Graves 3:19.86 [UTOPIA] *Australian National Champion
2. Nathan Rennie 3:22.05 [UTOPIA]
3. Jared Rando 3:24.21
4. Filip Polc 3:24.56
5. Amiel Cavalier 3:24.93
Elite Women:
1. Julia Boer 4:12.23
2. Joanne Fox 4:12.74 [UTOPIA] *Australian National Champion
3. Claire Whiteman 4:17.72
4. Cara Smith 4:17.99
5. Julia Martin 4:28.80
U19 Men:
1. Mitchell Delfs 3:25.77 [UTOPIA] *Australian Jr National Champion
2. Will Rischbieth 3:28.40
3. Joshua Button 3:30.33
4. James Maltman 3:32.38
5. Tom Patton 3:32.57
Photos credit: Tony Pincan & Mark Gunter
Utopia Optics’ Kierean Bennett Wins New Zealand National Downhill ChampsUtopia’s Kieran Bennett rode the fastest time of the day to win the New Zealand Downhill Elite Men's Championship in Nelson, New Zealand on Saturday with a scorching time of 4.02.16 down the 2.5 km course. Bennett, who was third on the same course at the 2006 championships, blitzed the field and pushed current Junior Downhill World Champion Cameron Cole into second and defending champion Nathan Rankin into third.
Bennett, riding on his home course, was seeded third fastest going into the race after a slower seeding run but improved on his time by more than five seconds to claim the victory in front of a huge crowd. Bennett will now wear the New Zealand National Champion jersey at March's Oceania Championships in Australia and then in Europe for the World Cup circuit later in the year.
Utopia’s Des Curry won the Men' s Four Cross title.
Elite Men’s Downhill
1 Kieran Bennett 4.02 [UTOPIA] * New Zealand National Champion
2 Cameron Cole 0.04
3 Nathan Rankin 0.06
Elite Men’s Four Cross
1. Des Curry [UTOPIA] * New Zealand National Champion
Photos by Rooney & Fishbole
Utopia Optics’ David KlassenVanOorschot Sprints his way to Victory! Utopia Optics’ David KlassenVanOorschot (David K) shocked the crowd by pulling off a huge victory over a stacked pro DH field, at the annual Southridge MTB Winter Series race in Fontana, California.
Nearly identical to the NORBA NCS course held here last May 2006, the loose & dust track started out w/ a variety of steep technical turns & rock outcrops, then spat riders out onto the fire road called "the wall" as it's entire length follows a wall separating the wilderness from the local community.
On a borrowed bike, David K blazed down the course, beating the field & former US DH/MtnX Champ, Eric Carter, by 3 full seconds.
“I had a good run, but I didn’t think I was going to win…I was thinking top 3," David K had to say. "Looking back, I took the last straight so fast… I don’t think I’ve ever been as fast on that section as I was today. I want to thank Bob over at Woodcrest Bikes for loaning me the Giant DH bike, & my sponsors UTOPIA OPTICS & Monster Energy…. DK’s BACK!”
It's been a few years since David K was "the man to beat" at Fontana & considered the future of US downhill racing. Nevertheless, David K is on a mission this winter to prove to skeptics that he still has the determination & physical prowess to be a contender.
1. David KlassenVanOorschot [UTOPIA}
2. Eric Carter
3. Rich Houseman
4. Waylon Smith [UTOPIA]
5. Evan Turpen
photos by Heather Rose & WinstonJeremiah Dylan Dean
Bike Team Manager
Utopia Optics International
