Brad Kelly wins on Central Coast home track

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Brad Kelly from Watanobbi took out the elite victory at the third round of the RedAss Downhill State Series on the weekend. Josh Button from Coffs Harbour came second and Andrew Crimmins from Bredbo holds onto his series lead with a third place in the elite category. Sarah Booth from Newcastle won the women’s elite category ahead of Sydney South’s Michelle Crisp and Kellie Weinert.

A field of 130 racers competed at round three of the RedAss NSW/ACT Downhill State Series at the Ourimbah State Forest near Wyong on the weekend. After a smooth practice day on Saturday, organisers from Rocky Trail Entertainment halted the pre-race open practice after an unfortunate accident mid-morning on Sunday. Due to a suspected neck injury after a severe crash a 36-year old rider from the Northern Beaches was air-lifted to Royal North Shore hospital and has been reported to be in good condition and cleared of any serious injuries.

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Andrew Crimmins, elite men’s RedAss Downhill State Series leader, racing at Ourimbah​


Brad Kelly dominates on home track
After a delayed race start at 1pm, the main builder and caretaker of the Central Coast Ourimbah MTB Club track, Brad Kelly from Watanobbi, took out the elite men’s category. The 36-year old experienced national and state downhill racer took full advantage of racing on the track he knows so well and won with a gap of almost 10 seconds ahead of Josh Button and Andrew Crimmins, who still leads the state series with most points overall in the elite men’s category.

“I haven't won one of these things [state series downhill races] for a few years now and to do it today with a 10 second margin was sweet and pretty rough on the xc rig”, said Brad Kelly, who had chosen a lighter bike to race the 2.5 km track that was said to be very demanding not only on technical skills but also on the riders’ fitness. Fellow Central Coast racer Brad Jolliffe came in fourth and former state downhill racer Cody Eichhorn from Douglas Park made a comeback by racing onto fifth place.

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Brad Kelly wins on his home track at Ourimbah State Forest​


Sarah Booth new women's series leader
In the elite women’s field, with the fastest female seeding and race run, Australian Defence Cycling Club racer Sarah Booth is the new RedAss Downhill State Series leader in the elite women’s category. Michelle Crisp from Caringbah returned to racing after injury to claim second place and 18-year old Kellie Weinert from Kearns finished in third.

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Sarah Booth, new series leader in elite women’s category, on track at Ourimbah​

In the Under 19’s field, Joel Willis showed a strong performance and is the clear favourite for the state championship title, which will be decided on his home track in Lithgow in September. Daniel Mikic from Mittagong came second and Connor Mackne from Wollongong claimed third.

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Joel Willis, favourite for the RedAss Downhill State Championship title in the U19’s category​

The next downhill race on the Rocky Trail calendar will be the RedAss NSW/ACT State Championship event in Lithgow, hosted by the Central Tablelands MTB Club at their Pony Express track on 28+29 September. The fourth and final state series round will be held at Awaba MTB Park near Newcastle in November.

For detailed results, further race information and to register for the next race, please visit www.rockytrailentertainment.com


Top results RedAss Downhill State Series, Round 3:

Elite Male:
1. Brad Kelly, Watanobbi NSW / Drift Bikes, Santa Cruz, Shimano / 3:15.31
2. Josh Button, Emerald Beach NSW / SRAM / 3:25.24
3. Andrew Crimmins, Bredbo NSW / GIANT Bicycles Australia, Thredbo MTB / 3:26.16
4. Bradley Jolliffe, Erina NSW / The Edge Cycles / 3:27.53
5. Cody Eichhorn, Douglas Park NSW / Banshee. ABC Bikes / 3:27.92

Elite Female:
1. Sarah Booth, Tanilba Bay NSW / Kona Racing-RAAF, ADCC / 3:53.76
2. Michelle Crisp, Caringbah NSW / Norco Bicycles Australia / 4:04.23
3. Kellie Weinert, Kearns NSW / Tight’n’Toned Fitness / 4:06.72

U19 Male:
1. Joel Willis, Lithgow NSW / Lusty Industries, Fox Racing, Shimano, Bikeminded / 3:30.17
2. Daniel Mikic, Mittagong NSW / Banshee Bikes, Singletracks / 3:33.60
3. Connor Mackne, Helensburgh NSW / Alltrack Bicycles / 3:35.49
4. David Maggs, Artarmon NSW / Deubel Bicycles / 3:36.63
5. Ben Dengate, Palmerston NSW / Built Bikes / 3:37.26

State Series Leaders after Round 3:
Elite Male: Andrew Crimmins, Canberra ACT
Elite Female: Sarah Booth, Tanilba Bay NSW
U19: Joel Willis, Lithgow NSW
U17: Alec Reid, Gwynneville NSW


Photos credit: Jaime Black / www.jaimeblack.com.au
 

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