Video: Victorian DH Series - Round 1

On a track that suited trail bikes over DH bikes, the One Rocky Mountain Racing team riders all put in solid performances over the pedally sub 3 minute track. Showing off the new seasons look with a new neon orange and reflective blue colour scheme on the Rocky Mountain Flatline DH bikes (thanks to the creative ingenuity of team boss Ben Crundwell) the lads all stood out thanks to the awesome 2015 range of kit from principle sponsor One Industries.


The track may not be the most suited to our team of riders, but in the hot and dusty conditions the lads set out to make the most of it and Saturdays practice was all about dialling the small technical sections of the track and getting a feel for the pedalling. With no real incidents to speak of, Beno, Olly, Darcy and Mitchell all left the track feeling excited for race day.


Race day and with no rain overnight, the trails were looking track and started to show signs of blowing out. The lads got out and track and carried on from the day before's strategy. Both Beno and Olly had their lines setup by their second practice run and let it hang out, throwing all kinds of shapes as they enjoyed some of the new jumps, gaps and step down. Darcy followed suit with a few of his own.


For the Juniors, Mitchell was still getting use to his new bike but felt positive during his practice runs and kept it pretty relaxed during his seeding run, not to bothered with his position and focusing on his race run. Darcy had been pretty happy with his practice runs and was feeling very good coming into seeding. Still knowing he had a race run to have, Darcy had kept it smooth also, saving himself for the main event.


For Beno, being his first season in Elite, had a decent seeding run. Knowing he had more in the tank, he took up his seat in the team tent content and ready to race. Olly did much the same, although he felt his seeding time didn't actually reflect how well he felt he feeling about racing.

When it came to racing, Mitchell was first down the hill and put in a time of 2.40, knocking 5 seconds off his seeding run but was off the pace for a top 3 position. Still a solid start to his season. Benno’s race run was solid, claiming 30th with a 2.07.16. Maybe not his best time, but again another solid foundation of which to grow on this season. Olly faired somewhat better punching his ticket with a 2.06.08 and getting a top 20.


The ride of the day goes to Junior rider Darcy Coutts. Darcy powered through the You Yangs course to get in with a 2.11.23, holding the U17’s hot seat for a few riders and finally taking out 3rd. An awesome ride from our Junior Development rider, and again, plenty left to give and get from the season ahead.


All in all we couldn't be prouder of the lads first outing and with the tracks now becoming more suited to our riders strengths, we very much look forward to the new round at BawBaw. Hugh thanks to all the team sponsors Rocky Mountain Bikes, One Industries Clothing, Mountain Bikes Direct, Fox Suspension, Schwalbe tires, Renthal Cycling, Stans No Tubes, Five Ten Shoes, Swift Supplements, Jet Black, Scott Goggles (Elite), 100% Goggles (Juniors).

Words by James Tamanika
Photos by Jason Stevens Photography, Jason Heidrich and Harry Hartwig
Edit by Cam Jam Productions

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Mentions: @RockyMountainBicycles, @schwalbe, @foxracingshox

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