More cycling success for New Zealand riders

New Zealand cyclists have enjoyed podium success on both sides of the Atlantic over the weekend.

London Olympians Sarah Walker and Marc Willers finished second and third respectively in the latest round of the USA BMX Nationals Series in Utah, as they prepare for next month’s UCI World Championships in Auckland.

In Scotland world number six ranked downhill mountain biker Brook MacDonald grabbed second place and compatriot Sam Blenkinsop fourth in the opening round of the UCI World Cup in Scotland.And in Germany, Christchurch cyclist Michael Vink lies in fourth place after the first stage of the International Thuringen Rundfahrt Under-23 road tour after finishing third in the opening prologue.

Walker, in her second competitive race for seven months after shoulder surgery, finished second to leading American Brook Crain in today’s grand final of the Nationals Series in Utah, while Willers, also back after injury, was third on the first day and fifth today.

Fellow Olympian Kurt Pickard was fifth on Sunday in his first competitive international start of the year.
In other BMX racing in Utah, Gisborne’s Nick Fox won two finals in the Pro A division, one below the pro elites class.

The BikeNZ High Performance squad go into a two week training block in USA before the next round of the series in Illinois.

McDonald celebrated his first World Cup with his new Trek World Racing team with a superb display to finish one second behind winner and 2010 world champion Gee Atherton at Fort William in the Nevis range.

"I'm so happy. This is my best result at Fort William and only my fifth career podium so far. To do this at my first World Cup for my new team is very special, couldn't be happier,” MacDonald said.

Wanganui’s Blenkinsop (Lapierre International) was also in top form to place fourth while another Kiwi Cameron Cole was 16th for his new team, Yeti Fox Shox, while George Brannigan (Trek World Racing), was 31st in his first major test after coming back from knee surgery.

Eight New Zealand men qualified for the top 80 for finals day, while Queenstown’s Alanna Columb was 19th in the women’s final.

The riders move to Italy for the first combined World cup with both cross country and downhill this weekend at Val de Sole.

Canterbury’s Vink followed up his strong prologue by finishing in the peloton in the first stage proper over 180kms to Erfurt in Germany.

He lies in fourth place just four seconds off the lead in the prestigious eight day tour that features most of the under-23 national teams from the major cycling powers.

Josh Atkins managed to finish in the peloton who were four seconds behind the winner today.
Tomorrow’s second stage is over 178kms.

Meanwhile BikeNZ’s men’s sprint squad are back in action later in the week in Paris.