An amazing 2014 Subaru National Mountain Bike Series presented by Mountain Bike Australia concluded in Thredbo this afternoon with Troy Brosnan (SA) and Michelle Crisp (NSW) crowned Series winners in Thredbo.
Down Hill riders battled it out in racing action on the iconic Cannonball run track in Thredbo all weekend.
In the Elite Men’s action, the former dual junior World Champion Brosnan came into the round with an almost unassailable lead, but that didn’t stop him from delivering on the day.
Close racing saw the fastest time fall repeatedly as the top ten riders arrived at the finish, and Thomas Crimmins (NSW) was second-last down the hill posting the then fastest time of the day for the Elite field of 4:54.77.
Brosnan was last, and he didn’t disappoint the massive crowd at Thredbo. He finished in 4:46.25, the fastest time of the weekend for the final race run of the series, a massive 8.52 seconds faster than Crimmins and the field, to give him both the race win and the Subaru National Down Hill series title.
“I’m really happy with the win, I just pedalled as much as I could and barely had any mistakes. I was a little bit surprised at how fast I actually went” reflected Brosnan.
Thinking about the series, Brosnan said “It feels pretty good. I was taking it race by race and I’ve come out with the win, another one to tick off and heading into National Champs”.
Crimmins would ultimately finish second and David McMillan (ACT) would take third
Action earlier in the day for the Cross Country Eliminator event saw Em Parkes (ACT) and Cameron Ivory (NSW) as series winners in thrilling racing in Moama.
Elite Women’s Race Podium – (c) Jaime Black : JB Photomedia.jpeg
In the Elite Women’s race, Michelle Crisp was third last down the track and set a great time of 5:59.22. She would face a nervous wait, with Kellie Weinert (NSW) and favourite Danielle Beecroft (NSW) left to finish.
Ultimately neither Beecroft or Weinert would manage to unseat Crisp, although it was Weinert that went frighteningly close to finish second by only 0.1s. Beecroft took the Bronze.
Crisp was equal parts relieved and excited. “It’s great – after such a terrible year last year with injuries. I still can’t quite believe it – I’m so stoked to take out the race and the series in the one day”.
Tegan Molloy in the Under 19s was yet again the fastest female rider of the day by over 12 seconds, an amazing achievement from the Junior rider.
Cross Country Eliminator – Moama 
Elite Men’s Series Eliminator Podium (c) Russ Baker
Moama Mountain Bike park served up perfect eliminator action to a large crowd gathered on the banks of Murray River in Southern NSW.
Elite Men’s racing was fast and furious, and the four riders in the final attacked the first climb together as a group: Cameron Ivory (NSW), Nicholas Morgan (VIC), Sebastian Jayne (NSW) and Ben Forbes (QLD).
The four riders raced wheel on wheel throughout and massive sprint started when riders first saw the finish line. Ivory would back up yesterday’s series win to take both today’s Eliminator race and the Subaru National series for the Elite Men.
A modest Ivory reflected on taking the Series win in both the Eliminator and Olympic formats. “I’m a little bit surprised again, I’m quite happy. It’s a huge step up for me, it’s the year to do it with Commonwealth games selections and also I’m aiming for a spot on the world championships team”.
Elite Women’s racing featured former short course National Champion Rowena Fry (TAS), Olympian Rebecca Henderson (ACT) and young guns Emily Parkes (ACT) and Holly Harris (ACT).
Fry and Parkes established a lead early and would battle it out around the course, but in a finish line sprint Fry would hold out Parkes for the win.
Parkes took second in every round of the series in amazingly close racing and her performance today secured her the Season title.
“It’s fantastic to take the win, it’s great motivation to take into the National Champs”. Parkes enjoys the Eliminator discipline “I like the close racing, the competitiveness and the courses are usually pretty technical”.
Elite Women’s Series Eliminator Podium (c) Russ Baker
Russ Baker AM, President of Mountain Bike Australia, said “It’s been a successful 2014 series. I’d like to thank all of the riders for supporting MTBA in running the series for them. It has provided an excellent platform for both our developing riders and those heading overseas to international competition”.
The Subaru National Mountain Bike Championships will take place from the 6-10 March in Bright, Victoria.
Troy Brosnan – DownHill Race and Series Winner – (c) Jaime Black : JB Photomedia
