LIMESTONE Coast competitors fared well at the final round of the Inside Line Downhill Mountain Bike series at the Valley Lakes on the weekend.
While the Elite men’s category went to an Adelaide-based rider, the “local” contingent certainly showed their class.
Conor Clancy claimed the round honours, ahead of Callum Dawes, who was crowned series winner as a result of his second place.
But it was Callum Morrison who lit up the timing monitors, finishing just 1.7 seconds behind Clancy.
The result from the Limestone Coast rider was impressive considering he had not competed in the series this year, but simply chose do dust his bike off at the last minute and compete on his home track.
Another Mount Gambier based rider Justin DeJong was also on the pace, coming home in fifth place.
Leading up to the event DeJong was a favourite for a home-track win, until Morrison entered at the 11th hour.
That provided two top riders for local fans to cheer on.
DeJong went on to win the senior hardtail category, to take something extra from the weekend.
To keep it in the family, Shane DeJong showed plenty of pace to finish second in the expert class, which caters for riders from 19 to 29 years who are not quite up to the elite standard.
Another local Sam Madzia finished fifth in that category.
Meanwhile Ben Kilsby won sport men, which is more of a recreational class, designed for those who simply enjoy the sport.
However, his time of 2min 18sec would have seen him finish 13th in elite category.
A new rider in the sport men class was Haiden Smith, who managed an eighth place.
He has been a regular in Adelaide this season, with the experience paying dividends.
The chainless class always provides a real challenge for riders, who need to work their bike without pedal power to keep the pace up.
This round it proved popular, with 24 competitors.
Shane DeJong put in another impressive effort to finish 13th.
The series was run over six rounds, which included Fox Creek, two rounds at Willunga, the Eagle on the Hill mountain bike park and Anstey Hill near Tea Tree Gully.
At the end of the series Justin DeJong finished third in the elilte class, but claimed the overall honours for the senior hardtail category.
Shane DeJong claimed the honours in the expert men category, while Ben Kilsby came second in the sport class.
Inside Line Downhill Mountain Bike Club secretary Carrie Parton said the weekend went off without a hitch.
“We were very happy with the event overall,” she said.
“It was an enjoyable and enjoyed event.
“The sun came out and it was the biggest crowd of the three events we have held down here, with a lot of positive feedback.”
Parton said there were plenty of people who supported the event from the region, including the City of Mount Gambier council, who helped to make it all happen.
“It was a new track this year – the wheel nuts track – which was received very well by competitors,” she said.
“It is a longer track and a lot of work went into it from local riders and council.
“A fresh, new track is always appreciated.”
Parton said the unique setting, which sees riders head down a steep track into the volcano crater, was something competitors embraced.
“It is a novel environment, but the surface is a bit looser,” she said.
“There were some nice switchbacks with loose dirt, which became a bit powdery.
“The jumps at the end were a bit of fun to finish on.
“It was a good track for the last hurrah for the season.”
