(Saturday, 11.07am) Okay, I’m down here at the Mt. Dew Battle for Supremacy at Fed Square in Melbourne. The comp is kicking off in an hours time (12pm) so right now the place is crazy with final touches happened to the course, riders signing in and media (like me) setting up. Renton and the guys at Dew are definitely pros – they’ve got a full on ‘press tent’ happening! I know that doesn’t mean much to most people but if you’ve tried keeping up with everything in a contest whilst balancing a camera and laptop and trying to work photoshop … You’ll appreciate why I’m excited. The weather is okay so far, a bit of wind about but the sun looks like it’s going to come out soon. Check back through the day for updates on the contest and peep the final course on the photos above.
(Saturday, 11.43am) Added shots of the trophy for the day … A pimpin’ cape.
(Saturday 12:25pm) Everything is just about to kick off. Corbin Harris is co MC’ing with Mapstone, Gourlay is shooting photos and the likes of Harry Clarke, Nick Boserio, Jake Duncombe, Dane Burman, Shane O’Neill and Lewis Marnell are ready to go. I don’t know if it’s true but I’ve heard Shane O’Neill is recovering from a back injury but is still competing – a few crew have him picked as the favorite. There’s been a few test runs on the course and it’s all looking good. If you’re anywhere near the city, you should definitely get down here and check it out. If you’re not, keep checking back for updates as they day progresses. Heats will run till 3.30pm-ish and finals kick off at 4pm-ish. Check above for more photos of the riders and course…
(Saturday 1:50pm) Heat 1 – Started: Harry Clarke, Shane O’Neill, Jimmy Roche Marty Girotto, Jeremy Correa. More photos from the warm-ups up now.
(Saturday 2:11pm) Heat 2 Started: Bryce Golder, Dane Burman, Shane Azar, Sammy Winter, Bjorn Johnstone.
(Saturday 2:24pm) Heat 2: Amazing! The guys are killing it. Highlight was Bjorn Johnstone’s switch FS Smith on the hubba.
(Saturday 2:25pm) Heat 3 Started: Jack Fardell, Jake Duncombe, Pat Dandy, Luke Croker, Blake Harris.
(Saturday 2:48pm) Heat 3: Highlight was Blake Harris BS tailslide down the big hubba! This comp is amazing! Playing on the big screen in the square for overflow audience – huge crowd has come along.
(Saturday 2:50pm) Heat 4 Started: Kieren Reilly, Nick Boserio, Lewis Marnell, Dave Harris, Sam Giles.
(Saturday 3:16pm) Heat 4: Highlight was Nick Boserio attempting to 50-50 the guard railing!
(Saturday 3:50pm) Heat winners into the finals: Bjorn Johnston, Blake Harris, Pat Dandy, Dane Burman, Harry Clark, Sam Giles. Finals about to start!
(Saturday 4:20pm) Finals just finished – the riders looked pretty tired by the end of the 15 mins but managed some pretty amazing stuff … Winner announced shortly.
(Saturday 4:46pm) Event was won by Bjorn Johnston. He took home $6,000 for his troubles. Check back in the next day for a full wrap, clips and pro photos.
