The weekend saw Australia’s best battle it out in Canberra for the Australian National Champs 2009. The DH was held on the same course that will be used for the World Champs this year – the track demands a gutsy approach to the big jumps and rock gardens, as well as strength and stamina to finish the 45 second pedalling section at the finish (there’s even some uphill – HORROR!!)

Emmeline Ragot jumping the triple treat - Australian National Champs 2009.
Photo: See watermark - used with permission from the rider

French champ Emmeline Ragot flew over from New Zealand and took the win over Julie Boer in second and Australian favorite Claire Whiteman in third (check out our interview with Claire here).

Martha Hucker caught up with Emmeline to find out how her race went:

“It was a long week because there were two training days, and then a day with more practice and seeding, and then race day. It was so hot there, I don’t usually ride in this weather so I got sunburnt! I walked the track first to find the good lines, but there were not a lot of lines to choose. I tried all the big jumps towards the end of the first day which was good, but I flatted my tyres in the rock garden. After that I tried to ride more smoothly and put more pressure in my tyres, but that made it very slippery in the dust, so I rode more slowly I think. Seeding was cool, but in the rock garden I jumped too far to the right so I landed on some big rocks – very scary! So after that I was thinking to myself ‘ride smooth’, and I got a good time for seeding. For the race run the next day there was a head wind which made the jumps more difficult, and most people were casing the last jump. But there were more spectators screaming for the big jumps, so that was cool. And now I know what I need for the World Championships – I need stronger legs for the finish! I meet some cool people too, there are good people in Australia.”

Australian National Champs podium 2009.
Photo: Emmeline Ragot

The 4x track made up for a lack of elevation by providing a technical, fast course for riders to choose lines and try to close out the competition in the tight corners. Eight women competed in Open Women, with world champ Caroline Buchanan securing the title over Lauren Reynolds and Rachel Bracken. Watch out for Caroline at World Champs this year on the same track, nothin beats racing Worlds on your home soil…

For full DH results click here, and 4x is all here

Older: Results from NZ National Series round 3

Fresher: Round 4 of the NZ Nationals - Emmeline Wins Again

Published on 29/01/2009 by Martha Hucker.