Australian Nationals: Round 2, Mt Stromlo - DH Practice

Dec 12, 2015

by Jaime Black

Round 2 of the Australian National series brings us to the nation's capital; Canberra, and a little piece of mountain bike history. As part 2 of 4 in the series, riders are looking to consolidate their stakes at the title and hold their ground against the current series leaders. Considerably shorter and more flowy than round one's course, Mt Stromlo is a home to some of Australia's finest DH riders, which promises exciting racing on Sunday. As Sarah Booth and Jack Moir look to extend their lead on the Elite field, Troy Brosnan and Connor Fearon are absent once again - leaving the top step within reach for local contenders such as Tim Eaton and David McMillan.

6 years ago, on this iconic trail built by Glen Jacobs, Peaty would take his only UCI world championship title. While there are no veterans like Peaty here for the event, there are a number of seasoned World Cup riders including Tegan Molloy, David McMillan, Rhys Atkinson, Remy Morton and newly signed GT factory rider, Jackson Frew.

Australian Nationals at Mt Stromlo - DH Practice

As shuttles open for the day, riders are keen to get up the hill and see what they're in for.

On a shorter course like this one it's important to get the lines perfectly right to get that edge on the competition. Riders on riders, contemplating how they're going to survive (and quickly).

Remy shows the Life of Bikes team riders how to tackle the world cup rock garden a minefield of derailleur-snatching hooks and rim-kissing edges.

Remy shows the Life of Bikes Norco team riders how to tackle the World Cup rock garden: a minefield of derailleur-snatching hooks and rim-kissing edges.

Jackson Frew's new GT has some nice finishing touches, including these Aussie themed Enve wheels. We will surely see more of Jackson and his fresh ride over the weekend.

Spectators arriving early, in all shapes and forms. Other locals include kangaroos - let's hope they respect the riders and stay clear of the trail.

Loose rocky and slippery is one way to describe certain sections of the track. Take 2 at this section saw Rhys Atkinson keep it rubber side down.

Loose, rocky and slippery is one way to describe the track. Take 2 at this section saw Rhys Atkinson keep it rubber side down.

Timmy Eaton sending G20, taking no second glances on his home trail. Locals have the advantage this weekend on the unique, loose, gravel-type surface.

Many riders opted to roll the G20 on the first day of practice as it is a ballsy feature requiring commitment to the drop and the rough run out.

Many riders opted to roll it on the first day of practice, as the G20 is a ballsy feature that requires commitment to both the drop and rough run-out.

Dropping jaws throughout the course, Troy Weinert is hot on the heels of his elder riders in terms of speed and commitment. After blasting the G20 drop, he's full moto into the lower jump section of the track.

Sarah Booth checks her race pace, hoping to put it all together and take the gold medal home for two of two as the series progresses.

Mondraker Australia team riders training laps of the course sharing lines and setting the pace. The team that trains together and succeeds together.

Mondraker Australia team riders training laps of the course, sharing lines and setting the pace. The team that trains together, succeeds together.

With gusting winds kicking up dust and throwing riders around, the medic waits nearby to the notorious tunnel exit drop - ready for an eventful weekend.

Straya!

Kellie Weinert, piloting her Mondraker Summum on one of the many airy doubles that feature in the lower half of the course. Making these gaps is essential in holding speed throughout this part of the course, which lacks in the elevation drop seen up top.

Contrasting with the dusty, encapsulating gum bush of Mt Taylor, this round we're blessed with breathtaking views of Canberra's mountainous landscape.

A tamed down version of the 2009 World's track, risk has been minimised in many areas including triple treat. Here a Bilt Bikes team rider drops into the pine forest vista that surrounds Stromlo.

Jack Moir has a title to defend this weekend, after strapping on the #1 plate and punching out a bunch of practice runs already, the top step will be a tough one to snatch here in Stromlo.

Downhillers are proving much happier this round, with far quicker uplift turnarounds than Mt Taylor, air-conditioned buses and bigger trailers. Fewer riders will also ease congestion and lead to more practice runs on the short course.

Michelle Crisp with her new YT Industries steed. After breaking it in last weekend at Thredbo s Cannonball festival and 4th at round one Crisp is one to watch this weekend.

Michelle Crisp with her new YT Industries steed. After breaking it in last weekend at Thredbo's Cannonball festival, and 5th at round one, Crisp is one to watch this weekend.

Stay tuned for our coverage this weekend, including the XCO event on Saturday - dry weather predictions promise dust and a slippery trail surface - prime for some wild racing!

Posted In:
Racing and Events

Author Info:

RideDirtWake
Member since Dec 4, 2008
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47 Comments

50 2

Monstertruckermotherfuker (Dec 12, 2015 at 5:04)

Whenever i see a rock garden like that i ask myself, what would Remy do?

evillampost (Dec 12, 2015 at 9:07)

Dude i'd ask how high he'd fly over it

RedBurn (Dec 12, 2015 at 12:45)

he'd probably murder the rocks!! @GetREkTm8 remy does not need lips !!

pigit77 (Dec 12, 2015 at 17:18)

Remy would choose the tallest rock that would launch him over the whole rock garden

28 0

Waldon83 (Dec 12, 2015 at 12:50)

"Canberras mountainous landscape"

Looked at the image for 5 mins, still couldn't see it

Worm-Burner (Dec 12, 2015 at 15:35)

Yeah, I wondered how many of our Northern hemisphere cousins chuckled at that. ..

pedaler (Dec 13, 2015 at 6:24)

Yeah thats a funny one, I also had to look at that pic. Rolling hills is what we'd call that landscape. Looks like some loose rocky riding though, no wonder the Aussie's do so well when it gets dry in Canada...

12 0

Worm-Burner (Dec 13, 2015 at 13:13)

We had big mountains in Australia, about 100,000,000 years ago... but Sam Hill's ancestors rode them so hard they eroded away...

toowacky (Dec 12, 2015 at 11:42)

Always surprised when I see the use of old school SRAM/Avid rotors... on something like bling'd out ENVE wheels. Not Centerline, not HS-series... just an old G rotor.

skelldify (Dec 13, 2015 at 16:48)

Do the rotors make that much difference? Seriously, I'd like to know, I've always used the ones in that photo.

bozoboon (Dec 12, 2015 at 14:00)

That track is horrible these days. Looked fun enough at the world champs when it was prepared and kept in shape. These days is is a gnarly washed out water course. The rock garden is as bad as it looks in photos. Like a truck rolled up and just dumped boulders randomly. Respect for anyone riding through that, you'd only ride it cause you had to.

15 1

russthedog FL (Dec 12, 2015 at 14:29)

Isn't that the point of a gnarly rock garden; that it's hard? Looks good to me

bozoboon (Dec 12, 2015 at 21:08)

Yeah, but maybe rockgardens shouldn't be man made. All power to you but I watched it get ridden at world champs, there was one line and it was all about avoiding those random boulders. I reckon that glen Jacobs tracks are pretty ordinary. The track is I ridden outside of competition from what I've seen cause it's horrible.

dustybikes (Dec 12, 2015 at 2:38)

Rock garden looks GNNNNNARLY

justgivemeanavailableusername (Dec 13, 2015 at 11:48)

wow, when you see the group photos at races, you surely notice how we dress like clowns

trailcrusher (Dec 12, 2015 at 20:48)

How in this day and age that a brake caliper and rotor cannot line up with the brake pad getting all the rotor does not seem to get full braking power. Please explain! And tell me something other than the mount.

Orionmark (Dec 13, 2015 at 7:14)

Is my idea or the Australian has to many style?

El-Warpo (Dec 14, 2015 at 18:56)

They do have style... and they are totally nuts. Fair dinkum, though.

Danielrifum (Dec 12, 2015 at 2:43)

Jackson frew needs to adjust his brake

joey1ball FL (Dec 12, 2015 at 3:27)

dust dust and more dust.......would mind abit of that dust stuff,,,,

oldmanDan (Dec 12, 2015 at 9:21)

Dude you should see this place when it actually rains...

kdstones (Dec 12, 2015 at 10:30)

I would kill for dry trails like that. Around here, you can't ride 10 feet without absolutely destroying your bike in mud...

brandaneisma (Dec 12, 2015 at 13:36)

@kdstones Colorado??? Ive ridden there a few times and it was super dusty.

kdstones (Dec 12, 2015 at 15:17)

I meant my local trails right now. During the summer it's great here, but winter... not so much!

kurtwerby (Dec 12, 2015 at 21:01)

Careful what you wish for! I'm currently living in Oz and the trails are sand based, which means...think sidewalk covered in ball bearings!

joey1ball FL (Dec 13, 2015 at 12:28)

nothing can beat Revolution bike park in Wales today 12hr down pour 2 degrees peak and a wind chill of a penguins fart..tough ride tougher rider...........

c0linmetz (Dec 12, 2015 at 20:15)

Am I the only one that was wondering what the new POC helmet jack moir was riding was?

Knuckle89 (Dec 12, 2015 at 3:28)

cool, wasn't sure if it was another rider moving to another team

uberusername (Dec 13, 2015 at 5:23)

Chris Kovarik was there. Massive legend status! Placed 3rd or 4th I think

jeremyclark (Dec 12, 2015 at 11:54)

that YT !!!

Golden-G (Dec 12, 2015 at 17:59)

Kovarik?

jankesdh (Dec 13, 2015 at 3:43)

Could be him here, M16 in carbon, fox kit, big calves haha

www.pinkbike.com/photo/12977418

herzalot (Dec 12, 2015 at 20:36)

So much TLD!

Knuckle89 (Dec 12, 2015 at 3:02)

No Troy Brosnan???

RideDirtWake (Dec 12, 2015 at 3:18)

Not this round, reportedly he'll be at Thredbo & Toowoomba (rounds 3 & 4) and of course Bright for national champs.

neimbc (Dec 12, 2015 at 5:05)

Where's Hannah and Hill? I really want Mik to get a podium this year.

taskmgr (Dec 12, 2015 at 9:18)

@ridedirtwake there's a track in toowoomba?? Is there lots of riding in the area?

RideDirtWake (Dec 12, 2015 at 11:31)

To be honest I haven't been, but from what I hear it's awesome up there. As hometown of Jared Rando I'm sure there's something worth pointing a bike at! @makripper

iamamodel (Dec 12, 2015 at 12:18)

You mean jared graves, rando is from Canberra.

RideDirtWake (Dec 12, 2015 at 12:24)

Thanks @iamamodel, my mistake.

taskmgr (Dec 12, 2015 at 13:19)

Edit: deleted my comment

chenlinyuan (Dec 12, 2015 at 10:43)

summer!

chyu (Dec 12, 2015 at 4:08)

GT team on carbon rims.

Unscathed (Dec 12, 2015 at 17:21)

wait...more interestingly... have they gone to the SRAM package deal?

Ride12 (Dec 13, 2015 at 14:38)

I think so, the Athertons took SRAM and FOX with them when they left

doe222 (Dec 12, 2015 at 8:40)

Damn I miss that place!!

pb-kg (Dec 12, 2015 at 8:10)

Looks like summer!