The first round of the 2012/13 Tasmanian Gravity Series has been run and won by race favourite Kaine Cannan
Hobart racer Kaine Cannan has taken out the first round of the 2012/13 Tasmanian Gravity Cup series held at Paloona on Sunday 6th October.
Perfect conditions greeted participants for both Saturdays ride/practice day and Sundays racing. 67 competitors took on the fast, technical track with close racing across all classes.
The recent dry weather saw the track riding fast and the lower section in particular proving to be especially challenging with the loose and rutted surface catching several riders out early, including series favourite Cannan. After completing just a single practice run Cannan crashed heavily dislocating his shoulder and being rushed to hospital. Despite doctors instructions he returned early in the afternoon, though heavily strapped, to complete practice that day and race Sunday.
The injury however did not hamper his racing setting both the fastest seeding and race times in the elite category, eventually taking the event by over 7 seconds with a time of 2 minutes 57 seconds. George Newham, despite also crashing in his race run still managed to claim 2nd from Rowan Saunders 3 seconds back.
The women also provided close racing with Christina Sergeant taking a narrow win from Emma Lewis and Jill Brady.
The Under-19’s again showed their speed with times that would have seen several on the elite podium. Ben Hill riding for Team Avid Zerode was pushed all the way by Brent Capel, with Hill triumphing by less than 1 second with Kaelan Durbin filling the remaining podium position.
The new All Mountain class saw one of the largest fields of the event with Doug Austin riding a hard tail taking on a fleet of longer travel dual suspension bikes. Austin previous series winning experience shone out fending off his competitors for a decisive victory.
The next round will be held at “The Lea” Scout camp at Kingston, just south of Hobart on November 3 & 4. Full results from the day and further event information can be obtained at www.dirtdevilsmtb.com and www.ccmbc.com.au
Hobart racer Kaine Cannan has taken out the first round of the 2012/13 Tasmanian Gravity Cup series held at Paloona on Sunday 6th October.
Perfect conditions greeted participants for both Saturdays ride/practice day and Sundays racing. 67 competitors took on the fast, technical track with close racing across all classes.
The recent dry weather saw the track riding fast and the lower section in particular proving to be especially challenging with the loose and rutted surface catching several riders out early, including series favourite Cannan. After completing just a single practice run Cannan crashed heavily dislocating his shoulder and being rushed to hospital. Despite doctors instructions he returned early in the afternoon, though heavily strapped, to complete practice that day and race Sunday.
The injury however did not hamper his racing setting both the fastest seeding and race times in the elite category, eventually taking the event by over 7 seconds with a time of 2 minutes 57 seconds. George Newham, despite also crashing in his race run still managed to claim 2nd from Rowan Saunders 3 seconds back.
The women also provided close racing with Christina Sergeant taking a narrow win from Emma Lewis and Jill Brady.
The Under-19’s again showed their speed with times that would have seen several on the elite podium. Ben Hill riding for Team Avid Zerode was pushed all the way by Brent Capel, with Hill triumphing by less than 1 second with Kaelan Durbin filling the remaining podium position.
The new All Mountain class saw one of the largest fields of the event with Doug Austin riding a hard tail taking on a fleet of longer travel dual suspension bikes. Austin previous series winning experience shone out fending off his competitors for a decisive victory.
The next round will be held at “The Lea” Scout camp at Kingston, just south of Hobart on November 3 & 4. Full results from the day and further event information can be obtained at www.dirtdevilsmtb.com and www.ccmbc.com.au