Smokey and the two hundred - NSW State Downhill Round 1

Short, steep, unpredictable and extremely dusty. Greenvalleys is the newest addition to the state downhill circuit and it surpassed everyone’s expectations on the weekend. The words ‘proper downhill track’ were certainly thrown about more than once over the two days.

Situated just south of the coastal city of Wollongong NSW, Greenvalleys has long been known as a freeride hot spot but now with the help of a few generous builders it has a dedicated downhill track. All this is even more amazing when you consider it’s all on private land and was created in a mere handful of months.

Riders arrived Saturday to pristine trails and a fresh challenge, a sole ride weekend the previous week the only real look in the riding public have had. A short track, the upper section was dominated by open cut drifty and extremely loose corners before exiting into an open jump section. As the weekend wound on big ruts formed in this upper opening section and so too did the dust, with next to no rain in the leading weeks the trail was ready to be picked apart.

The open jump section certainly saw a few cautious racers at the beginning but the careful trail building and extended case pads soon had juniors and elders who usually avoid such airbourne antics, whipping and sending it in no time.

The next section was more a lesson in restraint or not… Nearly straight on and almost all off camber it would not be the last section that had riders on their toes.

The natural rock garden was up next and throughout the two days practice there were plenty of onlookers from spectators and racers searching for lines alike. Crashing was aplenty and it generally came out of nowhere. Blown out, each run was unlike the last and riders would often find a new exposed rock out of place.

Crowd value was through the roof, the final section exiting into the corner of a paddock. The trail following the fence line with just enough room for friends and family. Exiting the trees the final line was a hip jump, roller to mini table. Plenty to keep the crowd entertained in the race for the finish line with whips, one footers and the occasional case.

Race day. After some grey cloud cover Saturday, Sunday welcomed in some sunny weather. The track was still receiving the same praise, the crashes kept coming also but thankfully none requiring hospital trips.

After a short practice to get those final lines dialed riders could now only hope they wouldn’t change under the two hundred plus racers coming down the hill. Anything can happen in racing.

The U19’s and Elite field would also likely see a shake up as the usual high performers are still overseas and the very NSW dominated Junior Worlds line up heads for the Mont Saint-Anne World Cup.

Ben Cory (Giant AUS) seized the chance in Elite Men laying down the law for the win with a time of 2:03 flat.Three seconds faster than his top qualifier. Mark Conliffe (Scott/Phantom Racing) smashed through his qualifying time to bring home second in the finals with a 2:06.01 with Tim Eaton (Giant AUS) coming home in third. Ryan Hunt and Doug Dunn rounded out the rest of the podium in fourth and fifth.

Elite Women was hotly contested in the absence of Tegan Molloy and fellow team member Sarah Booth (Kona AUS,ADCC) left nothing to chance putting near ten seconds into second place Trudy Nicholas. Kellie Weinert (DHaRCO) was looking fast all weekend but fell just short of Nicholas to bring home third. Series regulars and local legends Vanessa Thompson and Joanne Fox were in fourth and fifth.

U19’s was a free for all with a pack of local talent looking to cash in on some local knowledge. Hamish Cowan took the win by just 00.00.07 over Chris Tye (Kidson Cycles) a heart stopping result whilst in third was Drift Bikes Chris Clarkson. Fourth and Fifth were taken out by semi locals Josh Lea and Brandon Maxwell.

The series now heads to Lithgow for the second round on the 20th- 21st of September. For further results from Greenvalleys please head to : rockytrailentertainment.com