Australian National Downhill Series Round One, Mt Taylor - DH Finals

On a cool Sunday in the Victorian alpine region, with a sky threatening to open up and rider emotions at a high, the scene was set for an epic day of downhill racing. Shuttles were far improved from Friday's practice, and despite some wear on the trail throughout, riders were making the final touches to their race plans and gearing up to give their best. With a mixed men's field, absent of Troy Brosnan and Connor Fearon, there was much discussion as to who might take the title. The situation was alike in the women's field, with Danni Beecroft making her return to Australian racing. After a big crash during Saturday's practice, Tegan Molloy was still riding but taking it easy - it was unclear how things were going to turn out.

The Bilt Bikes team are a common sight at the National rounds and in the NSW state series. This year there racing with new members Harry Parsons, Kye Ahern and his sister Sian.

Team Lusty industries riders warming up for the morning, all on fresh Santa Cruz V10s for the coming season.

Flats and dings can almost be heard from the event centre they are so frequent - keeping it clean in race runs is going to be essential to get a decent time.

Flats and dings could almost be heard from the event centre they are so frequent - keeping it clean during race runs was going to be essential in getting a decent time.

Still riding her 2014 bike but with a suspension upgrade, Sarah Booth is stoked on her new Fox DHX2.

Mondraker Australia at Australian National Downhill Round one

Elite riders gearing up for another run and staying cool in the shady transport area.

Mondraker Australia team leading the shuttle line. Of all the teams on the circuit MA are more of a family than anything else a tight knit bunch of riders looking out for each other and often getting great results.

Mondraker Australia team leading the shuttle line. Of all the teams on the circuit, MA are more like a family than anything else; a tight knit bunch of riders looking out for each other, and often getting great results.

Downtime before uptime, sleeping is a perfectly acceptable option while waiting for the shuttles to return.

Dusty times as the riders load up for final practice nailing lines and sessioning those pinch points as the results will be determined by line choice and pedal strokes.

Dusty times as the riders load up for final practice, nailing lines and sessioning those pinch flat points.

70km/h shuttle trips up the fire road have their exciting moments but on race day it's a quiet atmosphere in the van, with riders pondering lines and memorising the track.

Remdawgs dropping into the first major feature on the track; a rocky chute that leads into a dry and dusty switchback section.

Ben Dengate, a veteran Bilt rider now racing in Elites, tied with Richard Kreuzer from VIC to take home a very respectable equal 13th place.

Taran Goiris taking flight. In plenty of cases rolling wasn't an option, and commitment was key to getting by on the high-risk A-lines.

Follow close or follow far - dust clouds shrouded riders who got their spacing wrong on the track which seemed like it hadn't seen moisture in weeks.

Ruts on ruts the dirt was little more than dry powder through the top half of the track s switchbacks.

Ruts on ruts, the dirt was little more than dry powder through the switchbacks on the top half of the track.

It s not hard to imagine how such ruts are formed. Jordan Prochyra shows no respect for the berm showing why it s not hard to believe the track conditions were constantly changing.

It's not hard to imagine how such ruts are formed, Jordan Prochyra shows no respect for this berm. It's not hard to see why the track conditions were constantly changing.

Growing up riding on trails like the infamous Awaba, (which has been forsaken by state and national rounds for concerns for riders' safety), Jack Moir was comfortable and in control on this track, even when two-wheel drifting through the brown pow.

A little adjustment of a loose cleat and we're good to go for seeding. Despite racing solo, Jack had the support of the racing community and pitted with the Specialized crew for Round One.

For quite a pedally track there were many gaps and big doubles, and it was tough for riders to balance stamina and speed to get down smoothly and quickly.

As seeding commenced, the crowds moved up the trail in hopes of seeing some action.

Kellie Weinert has such a confident riding style and is seemingly always faster than her last race. Her involvement with the Mondraker team has been a growth spurt for her. The 2015 16 season will be an interesting one for the Elite Womens field

Kellie Weinert has such a confident riding style, and improves with each race. It seems her involvement with the Mondraker team has developed her riding and racing skills. The 2015/16 season should be interesting for the Elite Women's field!

Danni Beecroft has had an extensive recovery period after breaking her elbow at Ft Bill. With limited time on the big bike bar some light duties in Crankworx, Danni has kicked off the National season with second place.

After some time abroad, followed by time off with shoulder and wrist injury, Vic Armstrong had a consistent weekend with plenty of runs. While her wrist was still playing up, she managed to keep it together all weekend and bring home 7th in a solid field of Elite Women.

Muddy powers through on his seeding run, eyes on the prize this year for the series. Always a very strong and creative rider, Graeme is riding for Team Lusty once again.

Jordan Clements from NSW floating over the water bar at the bottom of Cabbage Patch - affectionately titled due to the minefield of loose and static rocks.

Anyone who has seen Remy Morton knows that he is a magician on wheels - his time today of 4:05:65 would've seen him hit 6th place in Elite.

A rear flat left Timmy Eaton behind the competition until next time. Tim was on pace all weekend and will have his eyes on the prize in two weeks time at Mt Stromlo in his home state.

A rear flat left Timmy Eaton behind the competition. Tim was on pace all weekend, and will have his eyes on the prize in two weeks time at Mt Stromlo in his home state.

After a false start and having to be stopped at the 6th Marshall point on the track Jack Moir was sent back up for a re-run. To the surprise and excitement of the event village Jack would then set a course record and take the win 4 seconds ahead of Graeme Mudd on his new Intense M16.

After a timing error, Jack Moir was stopped at the 6th Marshall point on the track, and sent back up for a re-run. To the surprise and excitement of the event village, Jack, already with the fastest seeded time, would set a new course record. Jack took the win on his new Intense M16, four seconds ahead of Graeme Mudd.

Graeme Muddy Mudd isn t even mad to hand over the hot seat congratulating Moi Moi on a blistering run.

Graeme 'Muddy' Mudd not remotely upset to hand over the hot seat, congratulating Moi Moi on a blistering run.

Muddy chats about race runs and stops for a picture with a fan. MTB racing survives on family and community ties, and we are blessed to have such great ambassadors at the top of the sport inspiring the younger kids and fueling their passion for riding.

Elite Women's Podium, 1st to 5th: Sarah Booth, Danni Beecroft, Tegan Molloy, Kellie Weinert, Michelle Crisp. Tegan had a heavy crash on Saturday and was feeling unwell on race day, no doubt we will see her at full strength very soon.

Elite Men's podium, 1st to 5th: Jack Moir, Graeme 'Muddy' Mudd, Josh Button, Liam Panozzo, David McMillan.

Thanks for staying with us this weekend in Mt Taylor for the first round of the Australian National Series. Look forward to our coverage from Mt Stromlo on the 11-13th of December. For details visit the National Series info page HERE

Full Results: HERE

MENTIONS: @RideDirtWake

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RideDirtWake
Member since Dec 4, 2008
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11 Comments

andytheaussie (Nov 30, 2015 at 13:24)

Hah! Joel Willis is really starting to look like Graeme Mudd... Great coverage Jaime. Was a terrific weekend of racing.

RideDirtWake (Nov 30, 2015 at 13:50)

Noted and to be corrected

thanks Andy!

MattStaggs (Nov 30, 2015 at 18:01)

Brilliant job Jaime, it's great to have such a good person covering the series.

wally333 (Nov 30, 2015 at 13:49)

jordy running clips hmmmm remind him he is from WA were flats rule

extention (Nov 30, 2015 at 19:12)

Jaime your photos have stepped up a level. Great work

borrid (Dec 1, 2015 at 13:31)

Errol-Eggroll-Willis killing it! 21st elite, first season, and on a base model Demo! Whewww

peaotterthegreat (Dec 1, 2015 at 17:15)

what a pinner! aren't you that bloke from wagga?

russthedog FL (Nov 30, 2015 at 16:22)

good coverage, cheers!

troyleedesigns (Dec 1, 2015 at 11:32)

Congrats Remy and Mudd!

DM-DownHill (Nov 30, 2015 at 16:42)

"Australian National Downhill Series" Hah, imagine that.

Larkey1 (Dec 1, 2015 at 17:30)

What's your point?