Willemse, Baarspul & Brosnan Oceania Champions

Mar 20, 2011 at 8:00

by Peter Karas

The Oceania Champions have been crowned at today's finals. The wind picked up making conditions difficult but that's racing and everyone experienced the same conditions...Today's finals not only crowned the Oceania Champions, but also the Australian National Series Champions. The tightest contest was Elite Men, Ricky Boyer held a 27 point lead coming into the finals over Rhys Atkinson, but knew he would need a good result to clinch the title. Unfortunately, for Ricky, he "got a bit excited" and blew out a few turns, this resulted in a 6th place finish which handed the overall series win to an ecstatic Rhys Atkinson (who finished 2nd in the race). In Junior Men Troy Brosnan pipped Connor Fearon by only 0.10 of a second, Troy won the overall and Connor moved into second outright, in what has been the dual of the series. Troy has won four out of four races in the series, a feat that must be noted as exceptional. In Elite Women, Leonie Picton was going for four out of four but was beaten by Holly Baarspul, Leonie still claimed the overall though.

Junior Men

1. Troy Brosnan 2.12.85
2. Connor Fearon 2.12.95 + 0.10
3. Brandon Yrttiaho 2.13.96 + 1.11
4. Danial Franks 2.16.40 + 3.55
5. David McMillan 2.17.51 + 4.66

Junior Women

1. Sarah Atkin 2.34.73
2. Sophie Tyas 2.41.11 + 6.38

Elite Women

1. Holly Baarspul 2.38.81
2. Leonie Picton 2.40.57 + 1.76
3. Shelly Flood 2.43.34 + 4.53
4. Sarah Booth 2.43.59 + 4.78
5. Julia Boer 2.47.66 + 8.85

Elite Men

1. Rhys Willemse 2.12.05
2. Rhys Atkinson 2.12.61 + 0.56
3. Tim Eaton 2.13.22 + 1.17
4. Cam Cole 2.13.29 + 1.24
5. Will Rischbieth 2.15.30 + 3.25

Troy was stoked to win today, meaning he has won four from four this series. Photo: Peter Karas.

Troy commented that being only 58kgs made him nervous coming into the bottom jumps as the wind had picked up. Photo: Peter Karas.

So close! Connor was only 0.10 off the win, talk about tight racing. Photo: Peter Karas.

Connor moved up to second in the series after a poor result in round one pushed him down in the points. Photo: Peter Karas

Henry Blake crashed in his final run at the same place he crashed in his qualifying. Photo: Peter Karas

The Kiwi ladies stomped their dominance on the junior field, 1st place for Sarah Atkin. Photo: Peter Karas.

Sophie Tyas pushed hard for second place. Photo: Peter Karas

Today was Holly's maiden Elite victory. Photo: Peter Karas.

After a strong result at the Australian Championships Rhys stepped onto the top box at Oceanias. Photo: Peter Karas

Second on the day but first overall, Rhys Atkinson 2010/2011 Australian Series Champion. Photo: Peter Karas

Cam Cole's final run was not 100% by his standard, still 4th place is nothing to sneeze at! Photo: Peter Karas

Ricky was leading coming into this event, but tripped at the last hurdle, he will be back though, don't you worry! Photo: Peter Karas.

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profaine

Member since Jan 12, 2011
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33 Comments

wertmewert (Mar 20, 2011 at 18:07)

Every one is talking about Troy and Connor. Yes they are incredibly quick and have been neck and neck the whole way but what about Brandon Yrttiaho. Just got on a Yeti team and was only a second off Troy here and was 0.05 seconds off Troy (second) at Aus Champat Eagle Park and eagle is both Troy and Connors home track. Not trying to take anything away from Troy and Connor but just don't forget Brandon, he's looking quick.

Downhill340 (Mar 20, 2011 at 9:43)

troy won his category by the skin of his ass.LOL

NicholasCasswell (Mar 20, 2011 at 9:49)

Ya, a tenth of a second! That must have been an awesome race!

PlumStick13-Magnus (Mar 20, 2011 at 11:47)

he hasnt even got bum fluff yet and he could still whip all of our asses...brosnan that is

Downhill340 (Mar 20, 2011 at 11:59)

Yeh he does have alot of skill........but it would be a close call at 2011 world champs this year because fearnon has beaten him before.

tom-cuthbert (Mar 20, 2011 at 17:57)

Rhys Willemse was born in NZ.... Just sayin' ....

Emalkay (Mar 20, 2011 at 18:56)

sweet to see that a junior girl beat the elite woman go sarah haha

joey67 (Mar 20, 2011 at 19:39)

Actually, Rhys Willemse was born in Australia. His mother was born in NZ.

tom-cuthbert (Mar 20, 2011 at 20:22)

www.spokemagazine.com/2011/03/oceania-wrap-part-two

That says nz born

joey67 (Mar 20, 2011 at 20:50)

Yeah but they fu-ked up. Rhys is a duel citizen but born in Australia. He had the chance to ride for NZ 2 years ago but Australia wouldn't release him. He would gladly wear the silver fern if given the chance.

norcocensored (Mar 20, 2011 at 10:05)

it was pretty awesome following brosnan and fearon's match up.damn kids a sick!

duncanp (Mar 20, 2011 at 10:17)

yea, it would seem like there is more focus on the juniors than there is for the elites.

norcocensored (Mar 20, 2011 at 10:46)

true,apart from when bryn demolished the juniors time that one race,these kids pretty much owned the elites every race,time wise that is.the future is looking bright for the aussies, not that they're not stacked like crazy now but after sam,mic,bryn and all the other big guns pretty much slow down (in they're own way,still faster than most people) they have at least these 2 next in line,but im sure there's more.all in all i think its pretty sick

MTBbros (Mar 20, 2011 at 11:22)

To bad for Conner! I really wanted him to pull a win together and to lose out by so little. Awesome job to Troy for the win!!!

joey67 (Mar 20, 2011 at 12:03)

Great result for Rhys Willemse and still only 19 years old. That kid has a big future.

steve0cat09 (Mar 21, 2011 at 3:28)

can anyone tell me the name of the track were this race was held cheers

derpdownthehill (Mar 20, 2011 at 10:21)

I am pretty sure Troy's fork costs more than my bike brand new.

Downhill340 (Mar 20, 2011 at 10:30)

his forks cost about 2200$ on CRC

DownHillCooper (Mar 20, 2011 at 14:59) (Below Threshold)

troy needs to learn what a gym is. he what 16 or 17? hes 128 pounds and im almost 14 and i weigh 10 ibs more than him. and im not fat. kid needs more meat on his bones
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

its the bottom line people

Waldon83 (Mar 20, 2011 at 15:03)

Say's you, he still came first, four out of four starts. So explain WHY he needs more meat on his bones?

Also, is he wearing the Minnaar 5-10s or are they Vans still ?

norcocensored (Mar 20, 2011 at 15:23)

@ waldon good observation,they do look like the minaar's...

cubsrtbest99 (Mar 20, 2011 at 19:41)

not minaars. pretty sure they are called hell cats

norcocensored (Mar 20, 2011 at 19:50)

o cool,thanks for clarifying dude...

captyvatemedia (Mar 20, 2011 at 16:06)

Great to see Rhys take the win, couldn't happen to a nicer guy! Too bad this track sucks asa!

joey67 (Mar 20, 2011 at 16:11)

Yep couldn't agree more about Rhys. Nice to see him back up where he belongs.

wesdadude (Mar 21, 2011 at 1:35)

Will congratulate Holly when I see her in my lbs.

webbrider12 (Mar 20, 2011 at 12:36)

soooo stoked for troy!!

Tharris (Mar 20, 2011 at 19:39)

yeahhh connor !!

adamb999 (Mar 20, 2011 at 15:11)

Where is headcam-movie from this track?

iamamodel (Mar 20, 2011 at 19:22)

Here (but it is a practice run not a race run):

www.pinkbike.com/news/Oceanias-DH-course-video-2011.html

pokalface (Mar 20, 2011 at 17:52)

troyo!~

freerider1996 (Mar 20, 2011 at 9:44)

Great job everyone!

Inspired-7 (Mar 20, 2011 at 18:07)

I could of done better on a 18" bmx