In the women’s downhill national series final in Hobart today, Tasmania's, Leigh Douglas caused an upset when she beat national champion, Claire Whiteman from Canberra. Douglas won in 3 min 59.67 sec and took out the national series title Whiteman after a three year domination of the series. A former Canadian, Douglas, competed in her first season in elite class and impressed by qualifying fastest in the first run at the Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park.
After holding the monopoly for three years, Whiteman had to be content for second overall.
Fellow Tasmanian, Emma Lewis, placed second while Whiteman claimed third.
Canberra’s Ben Cory turned the tables in the elite men’s race by taking the win in 3 min 11.03 sec. Series leader Joshua Button from Coffs Harbour was able to maintain the lead by placing second just half a second behind Cory. At 19, Button claims his first national series overall title.
Third was former World Junior Champion, Amiel Cavalier from Wollongong. Local rider Kaine Cannan placed eighth.
Ben Cory from Canberra qualified in the fastest time all day with a 3 min 9.99 sec run.
After taking some time off Cory has returned stronger than ever and claimed his first win of the national series. Although Cory joked about training and explained he just loved riding it did seem the upcoming UCI Mountain Bike And Trials World Championships in September has sparked some interest.
"The idea of racing World Championships in your home town would be unbelievable." stated Cory. "It would be great to be selected but whether or not that’s a possibility I’m not sure yet."
In one of the closest races of the season was in the Under 19 division with any three riders such as Shaun O’Connor, Rhys Willemse or Tamryn Murrell. O’Connor won and takes the series win for a second time. National Champion, Willemse was unlucky to strike a tree but finished in second place claiming second overall in the series. Willemse was unharmed.
Third in under 19 was local talent, Antony Moore.
Sharon Payne
Media Manager
Mountain Bike Australia
After holding the monopoly for three years, Whiteman had to be content for second overall.
Fellow Tasmanian, Emma Lewis, placed second while Whiteman claimed third.
Canberra’s Ben Cory turned the tables in the elite men’s race by taking the win in 3 min 11.03 sec. Series leader Joshua Button from Coffs Harbour was able to maintain the lead by placing second just half a second behind Cory. At 19, Button claims his first national series overall title.
Third was former World Junior Champion, Amiel Cavalier from Wollongong. Local rider Kaine Cannan placed eighth.
Ben Cory from Canberra qualified in the fastest time all day with a 3 min 9.99 sec run.
After taking some time off Cory has returned stronger than ever and claimed his first win of the national series. Although Cory joked about training and explained he just loved riding it did seem the upcoming UCI Mountain Bike And Trials World Championships in September has sparked some interest.
"The idea of racing World Championships in your home town would be unbelievable." stated Cory. "It would be great to be selected but whether or not that’s a possibility I’m not sure yet."
In one of the closest races of the season was in the Under 19 division with any three riders such as Shaun O’Connor, Rhys Willemse or Tamryn Murrell. O’Connor won and takes the series win for a second time. National Champion, Willemse was unlucky to strike a tree but finished in second place claiming second overall in the series. Willemse was unharmed.
Third in under 19 was local talent, Antony Moore.
Sharon Payne
Media Manager
Mountain Bike Australia
