2016 Australian Nationals, Round 3 - Thredbo, DH Practice

Feb 6, 2016
by Jaime Black  
Australian Nationals at Thredbo - DHI Practice
In the Australian Alps - yes, they're referred to as the Aussie alps - we find ourselves at the Thredbo Resort for the third downhill round of the season. With what could only be described as perfect conditions, a reconditioned trail and some large names in the mix, Friday and Saturday's practice gave riders a chance to catch up with those that arrived early in the week.

Jared Graves putting in time on the trail this weekend on his new steed. With no visible signs that he hasn t been riding this bike for years excitement is in the air to see the 2014 EWS champion and all round bike idol amongst the crowds.
Jared Graves has been busy putting in time this weekend on his new steed. With no obvious signs that he's completely changed bikes recently and some blistering runs early in the weekend, excitement is in the air at the sight of the 2014 EWS champion, not to mention an all-round bike idol amongst the crowds.

Duke Millington styles it up on his Mondraker Summum making the most of Thredbo s infamous fireroad that leads to the race start.
Duke Millington styles it up on his Mondraker Summum, making the most of Thredbo's infamous fireroad that lead to the race start.

Australian Nationals at Thredbo - DHI Practice
Thredbo's Cannonball trail has several rock garden sections, linked by loose-on-hard sections with berms and rough chutes. Well known for it's ability to break bikes and spirits, the course here at Thredbo is one to be respected.

Cody Kelley stopping by on his way to NZ with teammate Richie Rude. Kelley was seen shredding all day Friday and Saturday but is not registered to race Sunday.
Cody Kelley, stopping by on his way to NZ with teammate Richie Rude, was seen shredding all day Friday and Saturday, but is not registered to race Sunday.

Australian Nationals at Thredbo - DHI Practice
Cody's EWS teammate and reigning champion, Richie Rude, turning heads on his enduro bike in the famous Yeti team colours.

Australian Nationals at Thredbo - DHI Practice
Team Mondraker Australia's Kellie Weinert and series leader Sarah Booth (rear) completing runs together. Kellie is one of the strongest young female riders to rise through the Aussie scene since Tegan Molloy, and has had a good season thus far. With only two rounds left before National Champs, it's time for everyone to show what they've got if they're going to challenge the series leaders.

Troy checking out the rejuvenated dry chute that featured in the 2015 nationals course. Unfortunately during practice on Saturday Troy had an off resulting in a dislocated shoulder and will not be competing on Sunday. Healing vibes go out from the village for his quick recovery in time for the World Cup and his lead-up training.
Troy checking out the rejuvenated dry chute that featured in the 2015 nationals course. Unfortunately during practice on Saturday, Troy had an off resulting in a dislocated shoulder and will not be competing on Sunday.

Riders scope out the flat turns out of bunny walk with the main village below.
Riders scope the flat turns out of bunny walk, with the main village below.

Despite damp conditions throughout the week prior to competition the trail is quickly drying out after a few days of rain. Forecast for Sunday s racing dust.
Despite the damp conditions in the week prior to competition, the trail is quickly drying out after a few days of rain. The forecast for Sunday's racing however, is dust...

Australian Nationals at Thredbo - DHI Practice
Michelle Crisp - almost a Thredbo local now despite living 6 hours away in Sydney - blasting run after run throughout practice with her eyes set on the elusive top step.

Australian Nationals at Thredbo - DHI Practice
Troy trailing his competition mid-way through the course on a fast rocky traverse - pre-crash. We want to know what he does with all the used race kits!

Graves is unquestionably the most comfortable looking rider on the mountain. A veteran in all forms of two wheels Jared and his heavy hitting Specialized Enduro will be heat-seeking for the top step this weekend.
Graves is unquestionably the most comfortable looking rider on the mountain. A veteran in all forms of two wheeled competition, Jared and his heavy hitting Specialized Enduro will be heat-seeking for the #1 spot this weekend.

Aidan Varley chasing results after 15th place in Canberra during round 2. Thredbo is a well versed trail for many riders familiar with the national circuit - including Aidan - and with many top riders absent Aidan has a great opportunity to secure himself some bragging rights this weekend.
Aidan Varley, chasing results after 15th place in Canberra during round 2. Thredbo is a well versed trail for many riders familiar with the national circuit - including Aidan - and with many top riders absent, Aidan has a great opportunity to secure himself some ground on the competition this weekend.

Australian Nationals at Thredbo - DHI Practice
Tegan Molloy, a blur through the grass as she cruises her home course. While she has more notches in her belt than her competition, Molloy is ever-humble and always focused on the job at hand. When she's not on the mountain, Tegan takes the time to chat with younger riders about the course and their riding - a testament to the growing legend of Ms Molloy.

Golden light and golden locks - what a time to be alive. Noah Watson styles it up approaching the end of runs for Friday practice.
Golden light and golden locks - what a time to be alive. Noah Watson styles it up approaching the end of runs for Friday practice.

With a field just short of 200 riders Sunday s racing will kick off early in the day - dry conditions are forecast with a high chance of action. Stay tuned
With a field just short of 200 riders, Sunday's racing will kick off early in the day - dry conditions are forecast, with a high chance of action.

Australian Nationals at Thredbo - DHI Practice
Graeme Mudd, aboard his fresh Devinci Wilson eyes up our photographer Ben Stevens on another dialled run - Mudd is impressed with his new ride, reporting on it's solid performance and stability over the rugged course.

Australian Nationals at Thredbo - DHI Practice
Richie Rude doing run after run - with the quickest turnaround of any lift-assisted trail in Australia, riders were pumping out up to 10 runs a day to get the course under control for racing tomorrow.

Australian Nationals at Thredbo - DHI Practice
Healing vibes go out to Troy for a quick recovery in lead up to the World Cup, and the ongoing National season.

Sunday's racing is sure to be epic - look out for our race coverage to come, but in the meantime, who's your pick for the win in Men's & Women's Elite?


MENTIONS: @benstevens / @RideDirtWake



Author Info:
RideDirtWake avatar

Member since Dec 4, 2008
10 articles

70 Comments
  • 59 1
 Gutted for you Troy heal up quick.
  • 6 1
 Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck....Get better Troy!
  • 2 2
 If he really dislocated his shoulder, repair will likely be recommended and he will be out six months. Goodbye 2016. Sucks. Love to watch him ride.
  • 2 0
 cmon troy!! rest till the world cups !
  • 36 2
 Jared using the $650 dollar Alloy Traverse Fattie wheels. Love to see a bike check on his enduro with the boxxer.
  • 38 0
 There's one in the works, hang tight!
  • 1 2
 is he riding 29er or 27.5 is the real question.....
  • 10 10
 Why would you use carbon rims on Enduro or DH bike? If you want them to last, you need to make them so burly that they weigh almost as much as alu. Then they are stiff as hell making you feel that you are running at least 5 PSI more. Carbon rims are good for XC racing, this is where it ends.
  • 1 0
 Here you go, including some info about his hybrid wheels: www.pinkbike.com/news/jared-graves-specialized-enduro-bike-check.html
  • 13 0
 Can anybody tell me what Cody and Richie's bikes wrote on the head tube. I'm dying to know.
  • 14 0
 Sweep. They aren't racing but are course sweepers instead.
  • 4 0
 Oh, make sense now.
  • 2 0
 What does a course sweeper do?
  • 2 0
 I tried googling it but nothing came up; what does a course sweeper do?
  • 6 0
 Last one down the mountain or group to make sure no one is stuck with an injury or technical
  • 4 0
 They also make sure there are no illegal modifications to the trail such as cut tape and gaps in tape for a short cut, as well as checking for things that shouldn't be there or need to be fixed.
  • 13 0
 Dude with broom dude.
  • 8 0
 A lot of the big names are not going to race? Also isn't Keene there as well, not one pic.
  • 11 0
 Keene has been very elusive and isn't racing due to running out of wheels - we got one pic but decided not to use it for this article.
  • 1 0
 Ahhh makes sense, thanks for the update!
  • 4 0
 Running out of wheels?? Weird!
  • 19 0
 He's addicted to them. As soon as he sees one, he starts to nibble...
  • 1 2
 they don't sell rims , hubs and spokes at bike shops in aus?
  • 4 0
 Roval thinks a 24/28 hole rim combo is a good idea on the enduros. Not surprised Keene ran out of wheels.
  • 8 1
 I hope it wasn't troys bad shoulder from that crash in leogang. Get better soon!
  • 4 0
 Amazingly crisp photos,it's great to see these national races covered so well. UK, US, Aus and NZ seem to have good national series, where else is on this level? Never much mention of France which is surprising?
  • 8 1
 fearon?
  • 2 0
 Absent Frown
  • 3 0
 Results: onlineresults.com.au/results/competition/7aab46c2-193c-4706-acb7-34f9880eedc3

1. Graeme Mudd
2. Jared Graves
3. Thomas Crimmins

1. Tegan Molloy
2. Danielle Beecroft
3. Kellie Weinert
  • 2 0
 Thanks. Is Graeme Mudd the guy that had the breakout performance at crank works this past year? If so, it's awesome to see him keep the trend going!
  • 3 0
 Jared with an Enduro w/ Boxxer fork and 2FO Cliplites... dude does whatever the f*ck he wants. It's like he don't even care what anyone else is running... i'm with ya man!
  • 3 0
 Excellent article dude. Loved the quality of the pics and the in-depth insight in your write up. So good to see the AUS series finally getting some good coverage!
  • 1 0
 Thank you very much! Look out for the race recap coming soon Smile
  • 5 0
 No Sam Hill... Now the week end is ruined... Frown
  • 4 0
 I'm pretty sure Hill hasn't raced a national since 2012, the year Troy first won.
  • 2 0
 Not DH but he raced Rnd 1 of the national enduro series last year.
  • 1 0
 OK I am a dork for noticing but the Yeti team is running Renthal Fatbar light bars? This is a 740mm bar on a downhill course. Did the course have narrow sections or is 2016 the year of the narrow bar?
  • 1 1
 You have to keep good habits. They are enduro racers.
  • 5 2
 Gutted for Troy! Heal up soon fast lad!
  • 3 0
 Man I miss the sun and warm dry conditions!
  • 3 1
 What is this? A warm up for the enduro riders? No mention of Fearon, Hill or Hannah...
  • 1 0
 That sucks for Troy, injuries are never fun. Super stoked to see Graves rocking that Enduro down the big bike track! Love my Enduro for DH riding!
  • 2 0
 man...that S works color scheme looks so damn good... black, neon green, and red... beautiful.
  • 1 0
 Great pictures! I loved my time in Thredbo. Where are the nationals again? Not that Eagle place in S.A. again?
  • 2 0
 Bright, Victoria.
  • 4 1
 Heal up fast Troy!
  • 3 0
 Kovarik?
  • 1 0
 Looks like a fun area. Wish I was there!
  • 2 0
 Jared is a beast!
  • 1 0
 #18 first thought before reading the caption " YO IS THAT GWIN?"
  • 1 0
 nice write up. I want to see graves on a demo.
  • 1 0
 Kinda hoping Richie would do some Downhill this year.
  • 2 1
 GO CODY !!!
  • 1 0
 Would love some video
  • 5 0
 Stay tuned, I'll be pumping it out soon.
  • 1 0
 woman+ googles=sexy!
  • 2 3
 Would it be gay to say that I'd have Jared's babies?
  • 14 0
 perhaps slightly brosexual but nobody here is judging
  • 2 5
 Poor Troy! Pop that bugger back in and ride it out! (I only say this from experience) but yeah, they hurt!!!
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