Brosnan and Hannah win Gravity Cup overall in Awaba

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Elite men

Racing took place in the final round at Awaba this weekend, the first time a national level mountain bike race has been held in the Hunter Valley. Conditions were treacherous for all riders due to the extreme rain in the region over the last week.

In the elite men's race, former world champion Sam Hill came down the long course as the second-last rider, as he has done for most of the series, with his Saturday seeding run being second-fastest to Brosnan. Again, like most of the series, Hill set the fastest time of the day (3:57.32) on his run.

What would mark today as different would be the end result, for the first time this season Hill's time would stand as the fastest of the day, with Brosnan coming down in a time (3:59.32) that was exactly 2.00 seconds behind Hill's.

"I've been close the last few races, but it hasn't gone down the way I wanted it to," said Hill. "It's good to not let him (Brosnan) win all of the series. It's good to get first for a change."

Speaking of the track and the conditions, Hill said, "It's a tough track, it's easy to make mistakes. I just tried to ride smooth, and carry as much speed as I could."

After a long off-season, Hill is looking forward to overseas racing. "It's good that the World Cup Season is finally here, I've been training hard since the start of November, I feel like I've got some good form."

Brosnan, crowned as the national champion last weekend is also the reigning junior world champion. He has had a season of perfect runs throughout the Real Insurance Gravity Cup Season, and today had a small crash on the way down the hill, but was gracious in defeat to teammate and friend Hill. "It's been a good run, I guess you can't win them all, Sam was riding really well and he always does well in the mud."

He often speaks of a desire to succeed, and todays's second may have added fuel to the Brosnan fire. "It feels kind of good to get a second, makes me more hungry."

Brosnan, riding in his rookie year, took out the elite win in the Real Insurance Gravity Cup Season, in what many feel is the most dominant display ever seen in an Australian Mountain Bike National Season.

"It's a pretty good season, almost won them all. I just want to put all of this confidence in a bag and take it overseas (to the World Cups) with me," said Brosnan with a clear focus on the international season. He has said on numerous occasions that his goals are now podiums and wins at World Cups, and few would doubt that such goals are within the grasp of the talented rider.

When looking to the overall Elite Real Insurance Gravity Cup season, Hill placed second with Rick Boyer in third.

Elite women

In the elite women's racing, 2004 Olympian (in the cross country discipline) Lisa Mathison only started racing downhill this season. Mathison walked away with the win on Sunday. "It's pretty exciting, hopefully the first of many."

When quizzed as to where she's heading as an athlete, Mathison said, "This is the new competition direction for me. I didn't expect to enjoy the pressure of the competition as much, but it's higher stakes than cross country, that's what makes it more enjoyable."

On the horizon for Mathison is a mixed bag. "I'll be riding some cross country events just for fun, and then the Queensland State downhill rounds. I'll be keen to see some new venues and work on my downhill skills. I'm looking forward to training as a downhiller to see how far I can take it." With Mathison's international history, the sky may well be the limit.

Michelle Crisp placed second in today's racing.

Tracey Hannah, the 2006 junior world champion, did not race today due to international commitments, but had an unparalleled return season to the sport. Hannah won both seeding and race runs at all three events she entered, and easily wins the Real Insurance Gravity Cup for the elite female class.

Hannah said, "It feels awesome. That was the goal that I set out to achieve, and I'm pretty stoked that I acheived in my first season."

When it was put to Hannah that she has won every single race since her return last year - and at any level, she made it clear that it's the result of hard work and planning, "You have a goal in her your head, then you go and train for it. It's a great feeling when you achieve the goal, now I just have to take it overseas and do it my best over there."

Crisp placed second in the overall Real Insurance Gravity Cup Elite Female season, and Mathison placed third.

Juniors

In under 19 men's racing, Connor Fearon won Sunday's race in a time that would have placed him sixth in the elite field (4:06.94) by only 0.20 seconds from Jack Moir with Luke Ellison placed third. In the under 19 Male Real Insurance Gravity Cup season, Connor Fearon again took the win, this time with Joey Vejvoda in second place and Thomas Crimmins in third.

In the under 19 women's racing, Danielle Beecroft had a crash leading to a DNF in the day's racing, the only blemish on an otherwise perfect season that hands her the under 19 Female Real Insurance Gravity Cup. Beecroft will be one to watch as she competes internationally for the first time in 2012.

In the under 17 men, Max Warshawsky won the day (4:23.77) from Andrew Crimmins (4:31.66), with Aiden Varley in third place (4:34.18). For the Real Insurance Gravity Cup, Andrew Crimmins finished first in all four seeding runs and won 3 of 4 races to win the cup by a significant margin.

In under 17 women's racing, Tegan Molloy won the race and the Cup season.

With the Real Insurance Australian Gravity Cup and MTB Season coming to a close, the Australian Mountain Bike community will now direct attention to the international season, starting next weekend with the Oceania Championships in New Zealand, and stepping up the weekend after to World Cup level in South Africa.

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