EURO HUNTING – XCO WORLD CUP RD 1, ALBSTADT GER

Posted on May 20, 2013 by dhb

Dan McConnell through the step rockgarden, check the mud and grass on the forks

In some of the slickest and muddiest race conditions Europe can offer, Dan McConnell (Trek Factory Racing) has taken his first ever Elite Mens World Cup win in Albstadt, Germany. In what those who have seen him race before would call “trademark fashion” he came from behind to seal the deal, albeit not in his usual cruisy manner. In almost complete contrast to her teammate Bec Henderson (Trek Factory Racing) led from the outset in her U23′s women’s race to take the win.

From the gun the pace was frenetic with a early lead from Swiss Marcus Fluckiger setting the tempo before he succumbed to Julien Absalon’s advances. Absalon went on to establish a strong lead that looked to be unbeatable, forcing over a minutes gap on his closest rivals over a cumulative number of laps.
However the conditions were just as much the enemy today as fellow racers, carnage and injury on the main drop led the A line to be closed by the fourth lap and that was not the end as the fight against nature continued throughout the race with sticky mud and trackside grass clogging everything from drivetrains and tyres to suspension. …View More & Gallery

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WORLD CUPS & CHAMPS RETURN TO AUS

Posted on May 20, 2013 by dhb

Cairns
Queensland has secured two major international mountain bike events to be held in Cairns in 2014 and 2016. Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Minister Jann Stuckey congratulated Cycling Australia on its bid for the UCI Mountain Bike World Cups and said the events would leave an important tourism and events legacy for Tropical North Queensland.

“Today’s announcement represents a major coup for Cairns and Queensland, providing an opportunity to showcase a region renowned for being ‘Adventurous by Nature’ as well as bringing economic benefits to the State,” Ms Stuckey said. “The World Cup events in 2014 and 2016 will see Cairns become the focus of the world’s mountain biking community.

“The events, bid for by Cycling Australia with the support of the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland, are expected to attract attendees from 45 countries around the world. “In addition, a series of participatory Cross Country Marathon (XCM) mountain bike events will be held in the lead up to each World Cup encouraging cycling enthusiasts from across the country to bring their bikes to Cairns, test themselves on the trails and stay to watch the World Cup events. …View More

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RYOKOU TRAILER

Posted on May 15, 2013 by dhb

How could I not… “Ryokou follows the journey of World Champion cyclist Shane Perkins in Japan whilst competing in the 2012/13 Keirin competition. The web documentary explores the Japanese Keirin as a pivotal part of Shane’s personal and professional growth, in context of some of the major events in his career. The series comprises of 5 episodes which will be released over 5 days in May/June 2013.” SBS will also be televising it on the 26th of May at 6:30. Get Keen!

Presented by Onitsuka Tiger.
Proudly supported by Jayco and Huon Aquaculture – the world’s most loved salmon.
And 88 individuals via crowdfunding platform Pozible.

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SUNSHINE DH SERIES ROUND 1 : TOOWOOMBA

Posted on May 15, 2013 by dhb

Sam Fraser with a flatty to keep things interesting

The Sunshine Series DH has rolled around again for 2013 and once more it has opened at the classic Toowoomba trail, ‘Mackenzie Frenzy’. A lot of modifications were made before the race, bringing new life to the old track and keeping riders on their toes especially through the off camber top section. Further changes worked out well providing a fresh look to the track whilst still having the well-known ‘Mackenzie Frenzy’ flat out speed and looseness riders have come to expect.
The weather threatened all Sunday afternoon with some small showers but nothing did deter the riders or their times.The Elite category was big and stacked with talent, containing names like Kovarik, Maltman and young guns Remy Morton and Max Warshawsky who both were racing above their years. The U19′s win was claimed convincingly by Sam Rohdmann above Cairns boy Lachlan McLaren who pulled second with two crashes and Loughlin Murphy rounded out the podium in third. …View More

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TREK FACTORY RACING

Posted on May 15, 2013 by dhb

With the first World Cup of the season mere days away the Trek Factory Racing team have just realeased this tidy little edit to introduce the team. Within you will find some top notch footage of Australian racing legends Bec Henderson and Dan McConnell, check it out.

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SUNSHINE SESSIONS

Posted on May 14, 2013 by dhb

A little bit of 16″ downhill shredding in sunny ol’ Tasmania, well worth the time waste. LANGUAGE WARNING on the song.

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STANS ZTR FLOW EX RIMS REVIEW

Posted on May 9, 2013 by dhb

Stans No Tubes ZTR FLOW EX

At first glance, the Flow EX rims look too light to be a strong and durable Downhill rim. Weighing in at 490grams (that’s 165grams lighter than a Mavic 823!) I expected them to only last a few runs before I would be changing them out. I was wrong.
Stan’s have put a lot of time and thought into the engineering of these rims, focusing on how the tyre works and designing the rim around its performance. The low profile of the side wall gives you a strong and durable platform which not only creates a fantastic bead edge for the tyre to lock secularly into place, but also allows the tyre to form its intended shape to give you optimum grip. This also means it has the ability to run lower pressures and reduces the likelihood of burping or pinch flats. …Continue Reading

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