Panozzo, A'Hern take Bike Buller crowns
Chris Panozzo and Sian A’Hern (above middle) have been crowned Gravity Gods and overall champions of the Shimano Bike Buller Festival at Mt Buller, Victoria this weekend as the fastest of the field across the three key gravity races.
Panozzo (below) dominated much of the racing across the weekend, winning the Saint ABOM Downhill on Saturday, the XTR Gravity Enduro on Sunday and runner-up in today’s DHaRCO Outlaw All Mountain Trophy. He also came a close second to Cameron Ivory in Sunday’s SPD Mt Buller Super-D.
With a cumulative racing time of just 50 minutes and 40 seconds, the Victorian was crowned overall champion of the weekend, claiming the Gravity Gods title for elite males.
“Thanks to all the competitors for coming out, it was great to see the volume of riders coming and racing, it was perfect weather and a great venue to do it,” Panozzo said.
Just 1m20s off Panozzo’s pace was fellow Victorian Jeremy Hamilton who rode into runner-up with a total time of 52 minutes of gravity racing. Third place in a time of 52:18 was New South Welshman David Ludenia, who was second in the SPD Mt Buller Super-D and third in the XTR Gravity Enduro.
In the women’s field, Sian A’Hern, from Queanbeyan in NSW also battled a top-level field of elite racers but couldn’t be beaten, winning all the gravity races across the three days and the Gravity Gods title in a total time of one hour, one minute and 28 seconds.
“I just want to say a big thank you to everyone for putting on such a great weekend, it was really awesome,” A’Hern said.
“This is the first time I’ve been here, so I’m definitely going to come back! A big thanks to Shimano for helping out all the riders over the weekend. It was just awesome, thank you!”
Second overall was 26-year-old Victorian Rachel Hore of Beaconsfield who secured two silvers and a bronze in the gravity races with total 1:03:40. Rounding out the women’s Gravity Gods podium was Annelie Marquardt from Queensland, with a total time of 1:06:50.
“To welcome some of Australia’s best riders and see how much they enjoy the trails and event format, is a real buzz,” said event manager Sam Maffett from Rapid Ascent. “The quality of the riding, the camaraderie and the friendliness out there makes it a real joy to be part of. Combine all this with the superb trails here at Mt Buller and perfect weather and it really has been a sensational weekend.”
Check out www.ShimanoBikeBuller.com for more info.
RESULTS:
Gravity Gods male Top 3
- Chris Panozzo 0:50:42
- Jeremy Hamilton 0:52:00
- David Ludenia 0:52:18
Gravity Gods female Top 3
- Sian A'Hern 1:01:28
- Rachel Hore 1:03:40
- Annelie Marquardt 1:06:50
