Patrick Butler – 2017 Bergamont Campaign

June 5, 2017 Juliane Trailtalk Comments Off

Patrick Butler is an ordinary kid from Brunkerville near Newcastle in Australia with an extraordinary skill: he rides bikes – any bike – really fast. Especially downhill bikes.

At Rocky Trail, I met Patrick and his dad Tim for the first time sometime in 2009 or 2010 at our dual slalom and four cross races in and around Sydney and Canberra. Right away this boy struck me as an incredible talent. Everything seemed to come naturally to him – it wasn’t a chore to go for a ride to train for a race, it was a routine, part of daily life to be out on the bike.

He soon moved onto the downhill scene and quickly climbed up the ranks on the state and national racing results.

Patrick also has the incredible luck to have a family that is behind his passion – his dad Tim first and foremost as a mentor, trainer, bike mechanic and inspiration and his mum especially, because she is so kind and proud and let’s those two go and explore and travel the world. – And because often, she’d come along too with his sister Jess and brother Andrew – all in all a good recipe for a strong and comfortable home base.

2017 is a huge year for the Butler family – 17-year old Patrick was signed up to race for the German bike brand “Bergamont” and is currently on a World Cup campaign in Europe and the US. Dad Tim accompanies him for most of the races and Patrick is performing well under pressure and on the international racing scene.

Recent results in Australia:

2015:
- 1st U17 RedAss Downhill State Series Overall
- 1st U17 RedAss Downhill State Championship
2016:
- 1st U19 RedAss Downhill State Series Overall
- 3rd Elite RedAss Downhill State Championship
2017:
- 2nd in Junior category at National Downhill Series
- 3rd in Junior category at National Downhill Championships
- 3rd in Junior category at Oceanias Downhill Championships

This blog will be a platform for Tim and Pat to share their experiences from on the road overseas and Rocky Trail Communication will put some race reports and pics and results into the mix as well.

What an incredible journey and we’re so proud to be a part of it!

For media inquiries, please contact Juliane Wisata at Rocky Trail Communication:

email: juliane@rockytrailentertainment.com

mobile: 0416 737 972

Photo: OuterImage.com.au
Caption: Patrick racing in Thredbo (AUS) at the RedAss Downhill in 2015.
For photos and copyright information, please contact Juliane Wisata at Rocky Trail Communication.

Event Schedule

Day Before Event	TIME
The track is marked and you can practice on it but we wont have any services (marshals or first aid). Please respect any trail closures if there is an Academy Event in progress.	From 3:00 PM

On The Day	TIME
Registration Open	7:30 - 8:45 AM
Rider call up, be race ready. The official rider briefing usually held before the race start will be available online before the race.	8:45 AM
Race Start	9:00 AM
Race Finish Finish the lap you are on but can't start a new one.	1:00 PM
Last Rider and Sweeper across the line and event finishes.	1:30 PM
Presentation Ceremony	From 1:30 PM (This is not compulsory to attend - rolling presentations will be held throughout the event with podium wall photos and rewards.)

Shimano GP Rules

The rules are relatively simple:

No race plate no race
Always respect other riders no matter their skill, speed, age or gender
Start: There will be one mass start. Riders will be able to self-seed.
Duration: Riders have 4 hours to complete their laps. Riders will not be able to start another lap after the 4 hours of elapsed time but may finish the lap they are on.
Completion: If a rider fails to complete the number of laps signed up in the to do in 4 hours, they will be ranked based on the time taken and the number of laps they did complete and will be recorded in the results as “-n Laps”.
Transition: A transition lane will be provided for pairs racers after the finish line. The to transition to the next rider the teams’ wheels must cross on a plane perpendicular to the direction of the trace track. There is no need for physical touch.
Rider down procedure: probably the most important rule of all: if you come to an accident out on the track you MUST stop and make sure the rider is ok. If he/she is not, stay with him/her and send the next rider straight back to the event centre to let us know what happened. If you lose time while helping an injured rider we will adjust your lap time at the end of the race. The race directors phone number is on every race plate. We recommend you carry a mobile phone.
Passing: being friendly out on the track goes a long way. Let the rider you are about to pass know when and on which side. E.g. “rider coming up, passing on your right when you are ready”. Then say thanks and keep on smashing it. If you are riding in a train let the rider in front know how many people will pass him/her. If you are being passed, find the next best place to move to the side and let them pass.
PAIRS: Only one rider in a pair is allowed on the track at any one time. Pairs riders must complete equal or close to equal number of laps
If you leave the track you must return to the same point before continuing your race
Outside assistance is only allowed within the transition/pit area. Outside assistance can be provided by other riders whilst out on track.
No shortcutting or “local lines” outside the bunted track
All bikes and rider safety equipment must comply with the Australian Standards
eBikes must be unmodified and comply with current Australian standards. Read more about our eBike policy here…
All riders must agree to a Race Waiver when they sign up online or at the race on-site

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