Brook and Neko Make It Trek World Racing 1-2 at Pro GRT

Team mates Brook MacDonald and Neko Mulally made it a 1-2 on the podium for the 4th round of the Pro Gravity Tour at Mountain Creek, New Jersey. After qualifying fastest the day before, Neko had to settle for the backseat on race day, but was only 0.83sec behind his World Cup winning training partner. Brook didn't qualify as strongly but put in a great run on Sunday race day.

Brook said: "I'm really stoked to take the win today here at Mountain Creek. The short track made for some really close racing. A big thanks to our mechanics and also Neko's family for taking care of me over here on the East Coast!"

Neko said: "I was happy with my quali and wanted to do a similar sort of run to keep myself at the top of the results sheet on Sunday. I had a solid run and it's always good to be so close to the Bulldog! A nice 1-2 for the team".

Results:

1. Brook MacDonald (NZL) - 2mins 12.98secs
2. Neko Mulally (USA) - 2mins 13.81secs
3. Logan Bingelly (USA) - 2min 14.23secs

The next race for Brook and Neko will be this weekend for Round 5 of the Pro GRT in Plattekill, New York.

Brook MacDonald Takes The Win In Duryea, Neko 2nd

Last year Neko raced and won in Duryea, a local race which he was very proud to support and to help elevate in the national media. This year he went a step further by bringing his new team-mate and World Cup race winner, Brook MacDonald to the event.

For both riders, it was a lot of fun, The weather could not have been better and the atmosphere was really cool finishing in Reading's city park in the downtown area. The event marked the Gravity East season opener, and the guys have two more big East Coast races coming up, in Mountain Creek and Plattekill before starting their European race campaign.

Lots of spectators and and lot of Neko's supporters and friends came out to watch which made it even more difficult for Neko to accept his race run with a big crash, after some much local expectation of a repeat from 2012. Nevertheless he was proud to stand on the podium, not only with his team-mate, but his brother Logan as well, who took 3rd.

Neko said: "I was definitely disappointed to crash on my home track with all my friends and family watching. I take these pre-season races as an opportunity to find my limits and try new things. Crashing today helps me ride better tomorrow and build up to the start of the World Cup season. I was really stoked to make it a Trek sweep and see my little brother join Brook and I on the podium. I really enjoyed the weekend."

Brook said: "I had a lot of fun racing a more 'low key', low stress event. The relaxed atmosphere made it fun and I really appreciate the help from Ray from Trek's Race Department who kept our Session runnign sweetly all weekend!"

Results:

1. Brook MacDonald (NZL) - 2m 57secs
2. Neko Mulally (USA) - 3m 02secs
3. Logan Mulally (USA) - 3m 03secs

Thanks to Matt Delorme for the photos.

Nukeproof Launches The Sam Hill Signature Series

The Sam Hill Signature Series has been developed in conjunction with five time downhill World Champion Sam Hill.  Sam needs no introduction. He is widely regarded as one of the best riders of all time and as such, he knows what works best! The signature series is a no-compromise range of race ready components chosen and designed with direct input from Sam to be the best tools for the job.

Signature Mud Saddle

The Sam Hill Series signature saddle design was inspired by Sam’s own motocross saddle and was created on Sams request: It’s most obvious feature is the pleated top cover which is designed to optimise grip in wet and muddy conditions. Made from a tough, durable Lorica material, it is tear resistant with Kevlar scuff guards on the outer corners to improve abrasion resistance. It features a smaller body than any other Nukeproof saddle, measuring in at 255mm x 127mm to maximise clearance and manoeuvrability on the bike. The smaller body, reduced padding and CrN Ti alloy rail compound, improve the strength-to-weight ratio. Weighing in at just 234g itis a lightweight contender, with a heavyweight punch.

Signature Lock-On Grips

The Sam Hill Series Signature Grip has been custom designed to Sams specification.. It features a soft-compound Kraton rubber which has been moulded to a specific width, thickness and circumference with Diamond texture pattern and a MX inspired half waffle to optimise grip, comfort, control and riding confidence. Featuring CNC-machined 7000-series aluminium lock-rings for wet-weather peace of mind and built in bar end plugs, the Signature Grip is both comfortable and confidence-inspiring.

Signature Riser Bar

Sam has always been particular about his handlebar set-up: Manufactured from high grade 7075 aluminium for strength and featuring a shot-peen finish to maximise fatigue resistance, The Sam Hill Signature Riser Bars feature a 20mm or 38mm rise, 760mm width and a 9° back-sweep/6° up-sweep, to optimise ergonomics and deliver confident handling through the roughest of terrain. Although the bars were built for the rigours of world cup level DH competition they are light enough for any kind of riding at just 298g making for a strong, comfortable, lightweight and confidence inspiring handlebar.

Signature Inline Seatpost

Custom 3D forged from 7075 series aluminium for optimum strength, the signature seat post consists of a one piece shaft and lower clamp section topped with a cold-forged clamp head,with both the upper and lower clamp and rail assemblies CNC-machined in critical stress areas for superior strength and fatigue resistance.The 400mm long shaft is turn finished for quality and features an elliptical internal bore to further increase the strength to weight ratio without compromising structural integrity.

Signature Direct Mount Stem

Precision CNC-machined from high-grade 7000-series aluminium, the Sam Hill Signature Series stem has been engineered for the optimum balance of light weight and stiffness without compromising structural integrity.

Featuring a one-piece four-bolt face plate for maximum stiffness and security against bar slippage, it is compatible with RockShox BoXXer and most other fork manufacturers utilising the standard 4 bolt crown mount.

Signature Tee Shirt

• 100% Cotton
• Available in Small, Medium, Large and X-Large

Sam Hill Nukeproof Parts

2013 Fontana PRO GRT Race Report By Mikey Haderer

2013 CRC Nukeproof Pulse

Here’s the bike you’ve been waiting for; Team CRC/Nukeproof’s Pulse, the bike on which Australian speed machine Sam Hill and UK riders Matt Simmonds and Joe Smith hope to pilot to the top of the downhill World Cup podium in 2013.

Built around the new Nukeproof Pulse downhill frame, the bike uses RockShox Boxxer World Cup forks, a RockShox Vivid RC2 rear shock, SRAM X0 shifting, E*thirteen chain guide, Mavic Deemax Ultimate wheels rolling on Schwalbe tyres, Avid Code brakes and Nukeproof components for seatpost, saddle, handlebar, stem, headset and grips.

Sam Hill’s race bike will be equipped with BlackBox components for the races.

If Sam’s results at the Australian National races so far this year are anything to go by, we’re in for an awesome season as he’s already guided his Pulse to three podium finishes, including two wins.

Team Manager Nigel Page said: “We are delighted with how the team’s Nukeproof Pulse race bikes have turned out. Everyone involved has done an incredible job to make our bikes look amazing and ready to win races! From the custom team paint job and matching RockShox decals the bikes are full factory!

“Sam has been flying in the Aussie races and Matt and Joe have been training hard for the upcoming season. I can’t wait for the first World Cup round at Fort William in June. Drop by our pits for a close up of the bikes and grab a signature from the team riders.”