Albany riders dominate WA State Downhill on home track as Tayna Bailey claims spoils in women’s elite division

Albany riders dominated the third round of the WA State Downhill Series on their home track at Mt Clarence at the weekend. The event attracted 125 competitors who made the most of Saturday’s practice day before a full program of races on Sunday. Beijing BMX Olympian Tanya Bailey stormed down the track to take the elite women’s division with a run of 1min. 53.10sec., ahead of fellow Albany rider Jess Waldron who finished in 2:02.03. In the elite men’s competition Margaret River’s Gus Kyme pipped Albany’s Hamish Wilkes, with Denmark’s Kaiden Godden third. Kyme crossed the line in 1:37.76 ahead of Wilkes (1:38.53) and Godden (1:41.03). Both under-19 races went the way of the hosts, with Declan Poett flying home in 1:39.82 in the men’s event and Abbey O’Donnell winning the women’s race in 2:05.05. Another home favourite Seumas Contier won the under-15 final ahead of Mackenzie Stables and Cooper Holland. The masters 40-50 was a battle of the bike shop owners, with Bobby Cooper, of Albany’s Bob’s Bikes, winning in 1:42.23, holding off Nathan Devenport, owner of Denmark’s Monkey Rock Bikes, who was third. Splitting the pair was Perth’s runner-up Miikael Kinnunen. Albany’s Xena Hamersley won the under-13 women’s race in 2:52.64 while, in pole position in the e-bike contest was Denmark’s Tash Lewis. Home riders also cleaned up the women’s “dash for cash” sprint. In this, the day’s 20 fastest riders regardless of age speed downhill with money up for grabs. Bailey, Waldron and Abbey O’Donnell were cashed up for the women, while Poett upset the elite males by pocketing the top men’s prize. Elite champion Kyme was second with Wilkes third. Albany Mountain Bike club president Paul O’Donnell said conditions had been ideal. “It was fitting to race on Mt Clarence on the Anzac Day weekend,” he said. “The recent rain made the track conditions great and it was a great day of racing. “I’m super proud of the Albany riders and their efforts.” Other riders who secured podium places were Marcey O’Donnell who was second in the under-17 women’s behind Alicia Mackay of Bunbury and Denmark’s Tim Withers was third in the masters 50-60 event.