An American swept the locals aside in the final round of the Elite Men’s Downhill at the 2015-16 Subaru National MTB Series at Jubilee Park, Toowoomba on Sunday.
2015 World Enduro Series Champion Richie Rude (USA) produced a sub 2min50second ride to defeat, home-town favourite Jared Graves (QLD) and Thomas Crimmins (NSW).
Rude, who was using the event as training for the up-coming Enduro World Series, qualified second fastest in seeding behind his former Yeti team-mate in Graves, and then produced a clean run to achieve his goal for the weekend.
“Finally beat Jared after he got me last weekend.”
“It’s great we have a friendly rivalry but pretty happy I beat him on his home track.”
Graves, was more than two seconds faster than the American during Saturday’s seeding, but couldn’t match Rude’s effort when it counted, finishing with silver less than a second behind.
“Can’t complain I had a clean run just wasn’t fast enough, but happy especially how tricky conditions were.”
Crimmins recorded his best result of the series with a third.
Despite having wrapped up the series after his thrilling Thredbo run, Graeme Mudd (NSW) was still hoping to cap things off with a top of the podium placing, but would finish fifth, six seconds behind the winner.
“Had a really good series up until today. And bit bummed would’ve been nice to finish on a good note but that’s racing.”
Mudd, tho has two weeks to turn it around ahead of the 2016 Subaru Australian Championships in Bright, where he’ll come up against third ranked rider in the world South Australian Troy Brosnan.
“I guess it’s made me more keen and more aggressive with my preparation ahead of champs in a couple of weeks.”
In the Junior Men, Jackson Frew (NSW) again had the better of Remy Morton (QLD) in their battle down the hill with the GT Factory rider crossing the finish line in 2min51:05seconds more than a second ahead of his rival.
Full results: http://onlineresults.com.au/Home