Brosnan wins in Thredbo to claim his first race as an elite

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Troy Brosnan, the two-time junior downhill world champion has sent a message to the field in his first race in the elite men's category by winning the Real Insurance Gravity Cup in Thredbo over Sam Hill and Jared Graves. Brosnan's time (5:31.54) was the fastest by over two seconds, showing he has carried forward the amazing form he displayed at the September UCI Mountain Bike World Championships.

Significant rain overnight and a few showers throughout race day weren't an issue. The Thredbo track was riding at its fastest delivering excellent racing.

"It was pretty much the perfect weekend. I've been in off-season mode a little bit, but I've done some training coming in to this race," said Brosnan.

Brosnan was happy that good friend and teammate Sam Hill was also on the podium, and happy with his race run at Thredbo. "The run was pinned the whole way down, the track was really fast so I gave it everything, I came in a bit hot to some corners but just ripped around and held on," said Brosnan.

Hill, a three-time downhill world champion, has pleased the Australian mountain biking community by saying that he intends to compete in the whole Real Insurance Australian MTB Season. Whilst still recovering and building speed from injuries in 2011, he started the season in impressive fashion (5:33.87) with a second place.

"It was a good run, I tried to ride smooth and keep speed up everywhere," said Hill. He addressed the uniqueness of the Thredbo track, "It's a hard track to ride on, it wears you out. The track is about as long as you get anywhere in the world, so it's definitely a bit of a challenge."

Graves, the fastest rider in seeding from Saturday came in third (5:34.63). "Overall I'm pretty happy with my run, and especially to be there right with Troy and Sam, a good day," said Graves. The former four cross world champion and World Cup Series winner, intends to transition to what has been his second sport. "I've had a good four years in four cross, and now I'm looking to see what I can do in downhill."

Tracey Hannah, the 2006 junior world champion, set the pace on seeding day for the elite women and did not disappoint on race day. She finished with a blistering time (6:15.73) that gave her the win in her first major race upon returning to the sport after a four-year break. "It was a really clean, epic run, despite my wheel being thrown out at one point and my front foot coming off, I was going hard the whole way," said Hannah.

Hannah will return to international racing in 2012. "I'll be focusing next year on the World Cups that give me more experience for world championships, I'll be aiming to get back up to international speed".

Second place in elite women went to Claire Whiteman and third place to Michelle Crisp.

Joey Vejvoda, a local rider from Thredbo won the U19 men (5:44.66) by less than a second from hometown friend and rival Thomas Crimmins (5:45.34). Vejvoda is talented in both four cross and downhill and spent 2011 in the downhill national team. This time has reaped rewards. "Going overseas and racing world champs was a really good experience for me, it really improved my skills," said Vejvoda.

Danielle Beecroft stepped up to the U19 category and maintained her winning form with a confident win (6:54.70) in Thredbo. Beecroft is looking forward to the challenge of international racing that the U19 category offers. "I'm aiming for a podium or even a win at the 2012 World Championship" said a focused Beecroft.

Andrew Crimmins, the reigning U15 National Champion stepped up to the U17s and managed a great time (5:57.75) despite having a small crash during his race run. In the U17 women's field, local rider and junior to watch Tegan Molloy set an amazing time (6:42.56) that would have placed her second in the elite women's field.

The next round of the Real Insurance Australian MTB Season unites the Gravity Cup and the All Mountain Cup, and will be held at Mt Buller on January 20-22.

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