TRANSITION BIKES BRYN ATKINSON TAKES 3RD AT AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL CHAMPS

RELEASE DATE: (2/28/11)
SOURCE: TRANSITION BIKES
Transition Factory Racing: Australian National Championships
Eagle Mountain Bike park- Adelaide, Australia:
Feb 27th marked the date of the Australian National Championships of Downhill. Hosted at Eagle Mountain bike park for the 2nd year in a row, this year proved to be as competative as ever. With a course length of just over 2 minutes for the Elites, and temperatures reaching 97 degrees, the riders were in for a heated battle thet assured some very tight racing.
Bryn made the 14 hour drive solo, leaving Jill at home to train and avoid the scorching temps. After a day or two of dusty practice it was time to lay down a qualifying run. Bryn had a few complications during his seeding on Friday, but kept it together for a solid 8th place finish. Top three looked like this after qualifying: 1. Mic Hannah 2.03.12 2. Chris Kovarik 2.03.69 + 0.57 3. Rhys Atkinson 2.07.38 + 4.26.

Come Sunday the riders were all ready to get the finals under way. After some exciting racing in the Juniors, and Pro Womens events the Elite field hit the track. Bryn had a solid run and was just edged out by Mick Hannah, and Josh Button. Podium looked like this: 1. Michael Hannah, QLD, 2:02.36 2. Joshua Button, NSW, 2:04.27 + 1.91 3. Bryn Atkinson, ACT, 2:04.33 + 1.97. Bryn Had this to say-

"We have been experimenting with tubeless, and for some reason I lost some pressure in my tires. Anyway, I left the gate and noticed it right away, my tires were just rolling around a bunch.. Being a heavier rider, i tend to roll them off the rim if they are too low, so had to shut it down. The same thing happened in my final run, even though I double checked everything, but I just put it behind me, and pinned it. I put together a good final, and pushed all the way, but wasn't enough for the win. Gotta be honest, this was an all or nothing event, so i was a little disappointed, but happy to be putting in good solid race efforts leading up to the season...

4 more weeks at home here in Aus, then it's back to U.S for the International season. Can't wait!"