Dan Heads was looking solid throughout race day

Running a downhill race in the depths of winter can be tricky, especially when it’s pouring with rain, so it was awesome to see over 50 riders turn out for the Descend Rotorua Winter Downhill Champs in Whakarewarewa Forest this past weekend. Saturday was the official practice day and after all the rain the steep course quickly turned in to a mess with huge ruts forming and one steep part of the track barely had a rideable line! The format for the race was two race runs followed by a top 10 shootout for cash which attracted some fast out of town riders in Kieran Bennett (Zerode bikes, Nelson) Nathan Rankin (Monster Energy Racing, Levin) and James Rennie (Red Dog Racing, Christchurch). Kieran Bennett was looking at home in the mud during practice but locals like Matt Walker, Connor Hamilton and Dan Heads were riding hard to try to keep the title in the North Island.

Once Sunday’s race runs started though, Kieran Bennett came into a class of his own and schooled the field by 14 seconds! He sure wasn’t letting the mud hold him back and from the pace he was managing to hold through some of the trickier parts of the course, it’s no surprise he won by such a margin! Nathan Rankin came in at second place with Matt Walker another eight seconds behind; the difficulty of the track really separated the great riders from the rest in this race, with most riders struggling just to keep their feet up.  Kieran also took out the top 10 shootout, and with Rankin needing to head home, Matt Walker slotted into 2nd place and making up a small amount of time but still 20 seconds behind the Nelson ripper!

Kieran Bennett just slayed the muddy course

Elite Men-

Kieran Bennett 71 4:01.28

Nathan Rankin 99 4:15.27 +0:13.99 2

Matt Walker 111 4:23.60 +0:22.32 3

Daniel Heads 79 4:56.35 +0:55.07 7

Aari Barrett 94 5:01.84 +1:00.56 10

Matt Walker pushed hard but couldn't quite match Kieran's mud skills

Open Men

1. Adam Lawrence 92 4:29.38
2. Carl Edmondson 113 4:59.08 +0:29.69 9
3. Ryan Williamson 84 5:06.57 +0:37.19

Women

1. Sarah Atkin 120 5:27.05
2. Sophie Tyas 91 7:51.37 +2:24.32 45
3. Pippa Holdom 68 9:37.68 +4:10.63 48

Full results at - http://descenddh.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/winter-champs-final-run.pdf

KB crosses the line.... (may or may not be actual event image)

It’s Super D season, with Queenstown’s edition last weekend won by Kurt Lancaster, this week’s being ‘Codgers’ in Nelson where Kieran Bennett took the win, then this coming weekend the Rotorua Triple Crown kicks off. Let’s hope this trend continues!

Codgers write up (from Nelsonmountainbikeclub.org.nz) after the break….

A great day of fun riding today, from the Sharlands Hill Trig right down to Andrews Field on the Codgers Trail Network.

Results are here – plenty of new faces came along, and judging by the strong response this won’t be the last of these type of events we run this year. Great to bring the different riding communities together in a format that appeals to all of them in some way.

National Super D supremo Kurt Lancaster has shifted to Nelson in search of trail goodness (and work) and was looking to win his third major Super D on the trot this year after cleaning up in Wellington and Queenstown. Kurt didn’t have the best run, but Kieran Bennett scorched the course to post a sub nine minute win and take the cash. Women’s winner Harriet Harper won the cash in a time that had a lot of the boys feeling well thrashed!

Firball, Drain, Pipilini and Graseed have responded well to this event, are scrubbed and clean, and riding superbly right now.

Keiren Bennett Photo: Richard Walker

Kieran Bennett debuted his new DRD Tomac Primer 220 at Wellington’s Skyline Screamer race in the weekend. Having limited time on his new bike, Kieran surprised a number of people with his great battle in the Skyline Screamer (an eliminator “three-cross” style format down a wide open firebreak). With a number of elite riders in contention for a sizeable purse, this event was sure to be a great race.
Kieran handled the new bike perfectly, and was seen with a big smile the whole way down the track. Winning round after round, Kieran found himself in the finals, where he would meet another World Cup veteran racer in Nathan Rankin. An epic battle ensued with both Kieran and Nathan exchanging leads. Unfortunately for Kieran, Nathan was able to squeeze past him on the last possible passing point and took the win. Not all was a loss, as Kieran pocketed a cool $500 for 2nd place.
“This was by far the most fun I’ve had on a bike in a long time and I think a lot of that is thanks to my new DRD Tomac,” said Kieran. “I’ve never felt so instantly comfortable and confident on a new bike. I can’t say thanks enough to the organisers for putting on a great event and making it possible for me to be there, and also to Jeremiah at DRD for taking me in this season and putting me on an amazing bike!”

About Dean Racing Development:
Dean Racing Development (DRD) is a professional mountain bike team established to support and develop top-level gravity mountain bike athletes in regional, national, and international settings. The team is comprised of talented, personable, highly popular and recognisable athletes that are dedicated to their sport. Our organisation aspires to provide athletes with all the tools necessary throughout the rigorous, year-long calendar both on American and international soil. Supported by the best brands within and outside the mountain bike industry, DRD is already seen as one of the top national teams on the circuit! For additional information about DRD Tomac, please visit www.dylan-dean.com/drd.htm.

Joining DRD for the 2010 racing campaign will be Tomac Mountain Bikes. As the official frame supplier to DRD, Tomac’s dedication to the sport of mountain biking will help continue to relate the legendary brand’s name with true American racing. Equipped with high quality products (such as the Primer, Vanish, Snyper, Automatic & Cortez), the DRD Tomac team will without doubt be one of the most visible & recognizable teams on the North American circuit.

“I am a big fan of gravity racing, but there are so few programs that we want to be involved in,” said Tomac’s Joel Smith. “Dylan’s team is definitely the exception and we are excited & proud to be a part of it. It’s a great group of talented riders and we expect them to do some damage on the circuit this year.”

The 2010 DRD Tomac team roster includes highly successful & talented athletes such as pro riders Kieran Bennett (NZL), Robin Baloochi (USA), John Keep (USA), and junior rider Brad King (USA).

Kieran Bennett offers a competitive force and riding style which are highly visible on & off the track. As former New Zealand & Oceania Champion, Kieran will undoubtedly be a force to reckon with on the GRT circuit.

Robin Baloochi returns to competitive mountain bike racing after a small hiatus to further his schooling. Robin brings a wealth of knowledge, having been competitive on both the national & world cup circuit. Robin’s success in downhill and 4x will be a great asset to the team!

John Keep & Brad King are two young & extremely talented riders who will benefit from the experience of their teammates. John is a highly regarded downhill racer, having already accomplished his goal of California State champion in his first year as a professional. With great success at a variety of nationally recognized events, Brad will be a contender in the Junior category and make a strong bid for the US National junior downhill team.

“It’s a well balanced team,” stated Dylan Dean. “We have experienced riders, whom I have had the privilege of working with in the past, and a couple of young talents who can be developed in the perfect environment. Our focus will be here in North America, primarily the Pro Gravity Tour, where I am confident that we can perform extremely well. I look forward towards this inaugural season & working with our new sponsors!”

Official team sponsors and supporters will be announced at a later date.

The DRD Tomac team will make it’s official debut at the 2010 Sea Otter Classic, in Monterey, California. For more information on Dean Racing Development, please visit their website at www.dylan-dean.com,

For more information on Tomac Mountain Bikes, please visit their website at www.tomac.com.