Great Southern group dominate downhill series

Great Southern riders have dominated the WA State Downhill State series which wrapped up in August, also returning with strong results from the recent State Championships held at Wellington Mills.

Riders competed in a six-round State series that began in Yarloop back in March and ended at the same track, with points worked out on each competitor’s best five results.

Albany trio Andrew Hannig, Hayden Kinnear and Declan Poett all came away with State series victories, while a number of others finished on the podium in their respective classes.

Hannig prevailed in a thrilling finish in the expert men’s divi-sion, clinching victory by a single point.

After collecting 520 points, Hannig just edged out Brock Kiewett (519 points) in the overall standings. Kinnear won the under-19 men’s class with 557 points — enough to defeat fellow Albany rider Lachlan Wilkes (515) in second.

In the under-13 division, Declan Poett proved too strong with 597 points, giving him overall series honours ahead of Kirby Roach (539) and Albany’s Jackson Poett (535).

Hamish Wilkes performed strongly in the series as well, finishing in second place, 24 points shy of the winner of the under-15 division.

Rob Wilkes (497) and Kevin Forrest (410) finished second and third respectively in the men’s masters 3/4 class.

Ben Halsall enjoyed a brilliant series in the tough elite men category, the local rider finishing second with 401 points behind winner Jackson Sawyer (587).

In the State championships, Paul Fage and Declan Poett were both crowned victors at Wellington Mills.

Fage won by almost eight seconds in his men masters 5/6 division, while Declan Poett won the under-13 class narrowly, edging out fellow Albany rider Tyla Anderson by 0.943 seconds and Jackson Poett claimed third place.

Kinnear finished third in the under-19 men’s division and Hamish Wilkes was also third in the under-15 men.

Other locals to perform well were Halsall after his seventh place in the elite men while Harry Creagh was fifth in sport men.

Hannig also claimed fifth in expert men and Rob Wilkes finished fourth in the men’s masters 3/4.