New design has local riders keen for urban downhill which highlights Southern Peaks mountain bike festival

Competitor and course designer Nathan Devenport says this year’s urban downhill event will be one to remember. The annual urban downhill race is part of the larger Southern Peaks mountain bike showcase in the region this weekend. More than 300 competitors are expected to take part in the mountain bike spectacular consisting of a jumps fest, XCM, kids urban and urban downhill races. A host of strong local riders are among more than 50 urban downhill entrants. Devenport was asked to design the new course by the Albany Mountain Bike Club. “I wanted it to be a fair bit different if I was the one designing it,” he said. “We are trying to bring back the full urban vibe. “I’m stoked, it will be wicked. “Especially to have that chance to design something like this that runs through the streets is a pretty unique experience. “Because this year is a completely new track we have got an extremely exciting tech feature as we come out of the bush that’s off a big rock, so that will really separate the field.” The track will start at the back of Padre White Lookout and riders will descend through the bush towards Albany Senior High School before coming out on Hill Street and then heading down Grey Street East on to Spencer Street and through the Earl of Spencer’s beer garden. Riders will cross Earl Street into a vacant block and jump over the fence before heading towards the finish on Stirling Terrance. “Obviously with COVID being around this year we have had a little bit of shortage with materials, with shipping containers being one of those, so we have had to diversify with our obstacles through the streets, so that’s why this year we are trying to push it through a few more backyards and the beer garden of a pub,” Devenport said. “This year will be a little different, it won’t be as much of the shipping container stuff but it will be quite diverse and back to that grassroots of a true urban through backyards.” The urban downhill was not held last year due to COVID but 2019 winner Jaxon Sawyer will return to defend his title. Saturday’s XCM race has 52km, 39km and 17km distances, and there’s plenty of interest in the jumps fest on Saturday night. The kids urban race will be held on Sunday morning followed by urban downhill qualifying and race runs from 1.45-4pm. AMBC president Dora Adeline said they were expecting an epic atmosphere at the event. “Only the best of the best are skilled enough to race in the urban,” she said. “We are expecting some great State and local representation by elite and skilled riders that have extreme level of technical ability or are just mad and plain crazy brave enough to negotiate the course. “From the opening of the Youth Challenge Park on Friday to the Urban Downhill Sunday and jumps, DJ, kids event, great food and thrills and spill all weekend. “This event highlights the variety of activity and value of mountain biking to the community and in the City of Albany.” Kaiden Godden will race in the urban downhill for the first time. “I’m looking forward to it heaps,” he said. “I have watched the jumps and stuff before but I have never raced the race. “There is some going to be some gnarly stuff that’s for sure. “Probably the most spectated event I have raced in.”