Overnight and morning rain delayed the start of the event, but the skies cleared and the riders were faced with the biggest and most technical course seen on the UGT to date, courtesy of Beaudesert local Troy Garcia. As well as the two standard 75ft ramp hits, the course featured a three-jump dirt rhythm section, a 90ft ramp hit, 100ft dirt double and a variety of other hits.
The early slippery conditions claimed a couple of the riders, with Matt Lindores and Cameron Sturtridge both hitting the deck hard. Lindores was able to continue on but unfortunately Cameron had to call it quits for the day.
RFDmx/Sloth Industries rider Ryan Apps was riding in his first round of the tour this year, and let the boys know he meant business by being the first rider to jump the 90ft ramp hit. Tour leader Rhys Hillier also enjoyed the technical course, " the dirt section is so much fun, I could ride it all day" he said.
As the riders took to the course for their first run the wind started blowing in as well, making conditions very tricky for the riders. First rider out Joe Sheppard made good use of the course and threw out a solid run, including a whipped clicker and grab tricks off the 90ft ramp. Hiller was next out, and had a run including his usual textbook extension on all his tricks, and finished it off with a backflip off the 75.
Luke Saunders was making his UGT tour debut, and impressed everyone with his big tricks and smooth style. After his earlier crash, a sore Matt Lindores was still able to throw together a good run in front the small crowd that had gathered to watch.
After round one, it was Sheppard who topped the score sheets, just ahead of Hillier in second and Apps in third.
Unfortunately for the riders, the wind kept growing stronger, making improving your score from the first round a very difficult task. Queenslander Chris Thomson was one exception, who after struggling in his first run managed to ride solid in the wind and jumped up the leader board as a result.
Lance Russell was another rider who improved his score, throwing out his crazy combinations and some solid grab tricks.
At the end of the second round, the riders got together and decided that to continue in the wind was too dangerous, and that the results of the day would be determined by counting the riders best run of the day.
After the judges tallied up the score, Joe Sheppard was determined the winner of the $1000 first prize courtesy of Sloth Industries, just edging out Hillier and Apps, who hung on for third place. "It feels great to win a round of the UGT, I never expected to win but I thought I could go well on this course," said Joe after the results were announced.
The series now heads to Boonah, QLD, this Saturday for the final Australian round of the series, where the riders attending the final in Dili, East Timor, will be determined.
Thank you to our great series sponsors, Conoco Phillips, Sloth Industries, Dirty Pumper, Slide Condoms, Greef Industries, High Roller Energy, Motorsports NT and Unit.
RFDmx/Conoco Phillips UGT round three presented by Sloth Industries results:
1. Joe Sheppard
2. Rhys Hillier
3. Ryan Apps
4. Matt Lindores
5. Luke Saunders
6. Chris Thomson/Lance Russell
7. Jessie Fairfull
8. Jake Thornycroft
9. Adam Bayard
10. Todd Back
11. Sam Balnaves
RFDmx/Conoco Phillips UGT Series Standings (after 3 of 5 rounds)
1. Rhys Hillier 72pts
2. Joe Sheppard 63pts
3. Matt Lindores 60 pts
4. Truman Carroll 38pts
5. Todd Back 36pts
6. Adam Bayard 34pts
7. Jesse Fairfull 31pts
8. Sam Balnaves/Jake Thornycroft 30pts
10. Lance Russell 28pts
11. Ryan Apps/Brock Jones 20pts
13. Luke Saunders 16pts
14. Chris Peck 17pts
15. Chris Thomson/Adam Grope/Luke Stono/Tom Robinson 15pts
19. James Grouse 11pts
20. Cameron Sturtridge 10pts
