By the seaside - WA State DH Finals, Albany
The Final of the West Australian State Downhill Series 2014 was held in Albany over the long weekend in September.
The Final of the West Australian State Downhill Series 2014 was held in Albany over the long weekend in September. Peel Districts Mountain Bike Club organised the race on the MT Clarence Downhill track, right in the middle of the picturesque coastal city of Albany. Over 80 competitors journeyed south for the event and a great weekend away.
The weather in Albany is notoriously temperamental and the race saw conditions changing faster than Beyonces outfit. Saturday practise had intermittent showers, and on Sunday the morning rain cleared and by race time riders were faced with a mostly dry track that was running fast. Mt Clarence Downhill is a short, physically demanding track with a whole variety of challenges – jumps, rock gardens, wooden berms and more!
The Series Final potentially has the series at stake so there is even more reason to push hard for a great result. The Series Results will be announced at the end of year Presentation at the upcoming event at Pemberton.
Finals in the Elite men saw results similar to qualifying. Local Ben Halsall used some creative lines to secure a fifth place and a time of 1:27.132, one second behind Carl Pickersgill in fourth. Pickersgill and Ryan Litterick has been looking at sections together throughout the weekend and it showed with their times being tight – Litterick just went faster, into third place with 1:24.971. Serial bike destroyer Jordan Prochyra (Carine Cycles/ Giant) was just ahead of Litterick, into second place and 1:24.416. But the day would belong to Luke Ball (Carine Cycles) – his recent return from a serious injury hightlighted even further his tight grip on this course – winning by nearly two seconds with a time of 1:22.564!
In the Elite Women there was a bit of a shake up with some of the racers having difficulties on course (or flat tyres!). Penny Holmberg took her first step onto the State Level podium with a smart ride and a time of 2:04.843. Lara Tadeusz-Smith managed to secure second place, even with a stall in the rock garden – 2:01.456. But it was recently engaged Louise Wallace who was able to back up her qualifying run and take a big win with a time of 1:56.268, over 5 seconds up and in total control!
In the Juniors Bill Carruthers (Georges Bike Shop Willeton) took third spot on the podium with a time of 1:30.756. Travis Fage (GT Bikes) secured second place with an aggressive 1:29.654. Alex Jaeger (Carine Cycles/ Straitline) has had a great end to the season, and backed it up with another win 1:28.394.
The Single Crowners saw Clint Lolly Barker (Georges Bike Shop Willeton) take a win after an eternity with a 1:35.677. Expert was won by local Jayde Sleep 1:29.881 – him and second placed Bob Cooper (Bobs Bikes) both managed to keep serial podium threat Paul Wilkinson to third place. Chayse Pengilly on 1:37.053, Adrian Walsh won Vets 1:28.555 and Paul Fage had a commanding win in Masters 1:38.173. Argo Allikmets backed up his great season with another win in Sport – 1:37.797.
In the Under 17s Aaron Leagas (Loose Riders Global Alliance) and Jake Marshall were very close in time but it was Leagas who came just out in front for the win 1:30.784. Yuliang Seow continued his great end of season form with a win in Under 15s 1:40.134 and Cooper Moore won Under 13s with a solid time of 2:25.612. Nerys Eddy raced in Junior Womens at her first downhill race, finishing with a time of 3:44.955 – and beating her mum in the process (a flat tyre not helping!).
The event could not have happened without all the supporters of the event and the Peel Districts Mountain Bike Club – special thanks to all the amazing volunteers on the day, the Club Committee for their tireless work, and Club President Paul de Klerk for organising the whole thing. Sponsors also deserve a huge round of gratitude – Carine Cycles, Giant Bikes, Malaga Cycles, EMR Suspension Servicing, G-Form, Bike Fixer Perth, Morewood Bikes, Lusty Industries, WAMBA and Hanson Construction Materials. WAMBA also need a special mention as thanks to a grant they provided Peel was able to purchase tools and equipment that allowed the event to be set up efficiently and safely.
There is still one event, before we head to Pemberton for the season finale Roller All Mountain race and Race Series presentations and awards night. More information can be found at pdmbc.com
Words : Sam Russell Photos : Kathy Carruthers & David Marshall
