59 Photos From the Steeps - Crankworx Rotorua DH
Not since World Champs in 2006 has the steep and treacherous Rotorua DH been in the international spotlight with a who's who of World Cup racers fighting for $5000 and bragging rights heading into the World Cup season.
In the Women's event Rachel Atherton made a return to Crankworx competition and was the obvious front-runner. Tracey Hannah was the obvious challenger and has been showing renewed speed and confidence we have not seen from her the past two seasons. Both riders proved they are in top form this season and racing would most likely come down to the wire in Rotorua.
Always a danger on tracks with big jumps, Casey Brown was also one to watch as she floated the tracks biggest gaps near the finish with ease. One of only two women to do so.
As racing got under way it was Emily Siegenthaler who set the fastest time early and her first real challenge from Casey Brown never materialized after she punctured near the bottom of the track. Up next Rachel would blaze down the track, almost losing it in the off camber above the finish to move into the lead with only Hannah left to go.
Tracey looked smooth and fast and coming into the finish it was obvious it would be a close one. Tracey opted for the go around on the big jump giving up precious time and eventually crossing the line .75 back in second spot.
For the men all eyes were on George Brannigan as he was recently won NZ Champs on this track a few weeks ago and was riding full gas in every practice run. Gee Atherton and Sam Hill who had finished 2014 on top looked good in training but would fall short come race time leaving the door wide open for other to slide into the top spot.
Surprisingly to many Eliot Jackson set the bar early and would remain in the hot seat as Hill, Branigan, Atherton, and MacDonald came down the track. It wasn't until Loic Bruni stormed down the hill and into the top spot that Eliot would finally be pushed back to second spot where he would remain until the very end.
Loic was never challenged and Neethling and Mick Hannah both punctured and former teammate Sam Blenkinsop would come just off the pace for third behind Jackson. With the first World Cup just a few weeks away in Lordes there are a few riders who need to find a bit of pace, while Blenki, Jackson, and Bruni will look to carry on the momentum and confidence from Rotorua into the season.
Results:
Pro Men
1-Loic Bruni
2-Eliot Jackson
3-Sam Blenkinsop
Pro Women
1- Rachel Atherton
2- Tracey Hannah
3- Emilie Siegenthaler
Full results here.
MENTIONS: @officialcrankworx
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 Blinky at your service... |
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| The only downfall to this track is the 30-minute shuttle lap up to the top of the track... |
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| Starting the day out with a view. |
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| The spectators were in true form today. |
In the Women's event Rachel Atherton made a return to Crankworx competition and was the obvious front-runner. Tracey Hannah was the obvious challenger and has been showing renewed speed and confidence we have not seen from her the past two seasons. Both riders proved they are in top form this season and racing would most likely come down to the wire in Rotorua.
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| Tracey Hannah has a new found confidence this year after being plagued by injuries the past few seasons. |
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| Grip and rip it. |
Always a danger on tracks with big jumps, Casey Brown was also one to watch as she floated the tracks biggest gaps near the finish with ease. One of only two women to do so.
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| Casey Brown no brakes into the finish step up. |
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| Casey Brown entering the home stretch. Brown finished sixth. |
As racing got under way it was Emily Siegenthaler who set the fastest time early and her first real challenge from Casey Brown never materialized after she punctured near the bottom of the track. Up next Rachel would blaze down the track, almost losing it in the off camber above the finish to move into the lead with only Hannah left to go.
Tracey looked smooth and fast and coming into the finish it was obvious it would be a close one. Tracey opted for the go around on the big jump giving up precious time and eventually crossing the line .75 back in second spot.
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| Rachel Atherton almost threw it away in the corner just above this shot but got a foot out just in time and kept on off the brakes to take her first major win of the season. |
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| Rachel Atherton with her first win of the year and for the first time in history received equal prize money as the men's field. Well done Crankworx. |
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| Perhaps a sign of things to come when the World Cup kicks off in a few weeks time. |
For the men all eyes were on George Brannigan as he was recently won NZ Champs on this track a few weeks ago and was riding full gas in every practice run. Gee Atherton and Sam Hill who had finished 2014 on top looked good in training but would fall short come race time leaving the door wide open for other to slide into the top spot.
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| Start gate with a view. |
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| Gee Atherton ready to roll in... |
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| George Branigan won New Zealand National Champs on this track just a few weeks ago and was pinned in practice, but a mistake in a corner near the top of the track pushed him down the order and just a few seconds off the win. |
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| Bulldog. |
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| Wyn Masters spent 4 hours of the morning and early afternoon training for the Enduro World Series race that will take place tomorrow, then turned up straight into DH practice and his race run. |
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| Brook MacDonald pinned down the Larches made infamous during the World Champs in 2006. Almost 10 years later and this mega steep section of track was still taking people out all weekend long. |
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| Loic Bruni staying tight and inside. |
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| Wyn Masters twisting the throttle and on the gas. |
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| Mick Hannah perfect form as always. |
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| Needles coming in hot up top. |
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| Boneyard. |
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| Bulldog muscling over a stepdown floater up top. |
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| Loic Bruni taking the middle of root lines, opposed to an awkward high line or loose low line. |
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| Classic Brook MacDonald, smashing the hell out of everything in sight. |
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| You know the bomb holes are deep when you g-out, snap your bottom bracket and ride away with the pedal and crank arm still attached to you shoe. |
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| The work never stops behind the scenes as mechanics work tirelessly to keep bikes running in top form. |
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| Dean Lucas drops into the capacity crowd and down the last off camber section just above the finish line. |
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| Garret Buehler came down for a road trip a few weeks back and came to cheer some of the fellow Canadians on. |
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| Bernard Kerr sideways and with style over the big step up into the finishing arena. |
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| Sam Hill is another rider doing double duty this weekend by smashing out mikes of pedalling on the Enduro each morning before DH practice. |
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| Dave McMillan keeping it real. |
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| Dean Lucas with the bar hump of the day. |
Surprisingly to many Eliot Jackson set the bar early and would remain in the hot seat as Hill, Branigan, Atherton, and MacDonald came down the track. It wasn't until Loic Bruni stormed down the hill and into the top spot that Eliot would finally be pushed back to second spot where he would remain until the very end.
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| Elliot Jackson blowing away the field and ended up in the second spot. Amazing to see him up on top again with his aggressive style. |
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| Bernard Kerr floating through. |
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| Wyn Master's is a local hero of the area and looking faster than ever. Also racing the enduro tomorrow along with some of the other DH racers. |
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| Brendog blasting through, he's been doing some fox testing and apparently brought up his speed by nearly 5 seconds. |
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| Connor Fearon staying low and fast over the chicane. |
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| Andrew Neethling suffered a bit of bad luck with a flat in the rock garden. |
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| Neethling signing autographs for fans and always in good spirit. |
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| Bulldog sliding into home base, but didn't hit a home run. |
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| Wyn Masters blew a corner up top that cost him precious time. |
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| "Hey George, you know why you blew out that corner up top mate?" "No Why?" "Because I blew it out first mate." |
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| Bren Dog looked like he has been stomping out some serious laps lately. Hopefully this is the start of a great season for him. |
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| One hot turn from hitting the massive table into a flat corner to the finish line. |
Loic was never challenged and Neethling and Mick Hannah both punctured and former teammate Sam Blenkinsop would come just off the pace for third behind Jackson. With the first World Cup just a few weeks away in Lordes there are a few riders who need to find a bit of pace, while Blenki, Jackson, and Bruni will look to carry on the momentum and confidence from Rotorua into the season.
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| Loic in the hot seat. |
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| New team, new colors but with the same old blistering speed and style, Sam Blenkinsop had a stellar run to take 3rd just behind Loic Bruni and Eliot Jackson. |
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| Loose and classic Blinky style through the finish line. |
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| Blinky had a wicked fast run on home soil with a huge fan base cheering him on but couldn't quite keep the pace. |
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| Gee looking for a little more out of the day. |
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| Loic Bruni delivered on his potential to take a well deserved win against a stacked elite field. With the opening round of the World Cup just around the corner in his home country you can bet his confidence and speed will be at an all time high in Lourdes |
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| A very proud Eliot Jackson has worked very very hard this off season and it showed in his result today. 2nd place against the best in the world. |
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| Drink up fellas, you earned it. |
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| We might just be seeing more of these victory interviews with Loic Bruni before the year is out. |
Results:
Pro Men
1-Loic Bruni
2-Eliot Jackson
3-Sam Blenkinsop
Pro Women
1- Rachel Atherton
2- Tracey Hannah
3- Emilie Siegenthaler
Full results here.
MENTIONS: @officialcrankworx
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So looking forward to first WC now!
Watching Peaty and Palmer in person affected my life.
@bman33 Brent, Do you remember when me and Juan had to race Ryan White when he was a munchkin little kid at Helen Nationals and he bumped me out and tried to gut Juan, but Juan wasn't having it? Oh...it still hurts to this day! Harry Potter beat my ass!
Edited Date/Time: 12 hours ago
fearon on a 27.5 operator finally?
edit - we received word that this bike was a rental for some reason
Plus, if I recall, he was re-signed without the obligation of elite results when it was still thought to be asthma. My daughter's asthma seems to have incredibly similar symptoms and we're going to get her tested for it as well. We live in a very good area for medicine, but didn't even know it existed.
Click here for more: www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/related-conditions/vocal-cord-dysfunction.aspx
(Yes, I know it's not actually an X0 crank.)
Did I read that right? That's a ton of time considering how close the gaps are in these races