RaboPlus South Island Cross Country Cup Round 2 results Presented by Nature Valley

Cross Country racers headed to Timaru this weekend for Round 2 of the NZCT South Island Cup as part of the Raboplus MTB Cup series presented by Nature Valley. The Cup race was part of Timaru’s X-Scenic race in which several locals rode a shorter 20km course around Centennial Park in the morning, followed by a 40km course in which the Cup contenders took part.

In the Elite Men Category, last week’s top place getter remained on the podium with Brendon Sharratt (Christchurch) winning again. The fight for the lead was strong, the lead swapping throughout the race, which made for exciting spectating at the finish of the course. Brad Tilby placed second, stepping up to the podium after his fourth place last week. After leading early on Ash Hough (Papamoa) faded slightly to finish third, keeping a fast finishing Oliver Whalley (Christchurch) at bay.

In the Elite Women Cathy Hamer (Hokitika) looked assertive from the start, taking a commanding lead early on. Erin Greene (Dunedin) raced to second while Karen Collins (Christchurch) placed third.

The technically challenging course meant a few riders came in dusty from minor offs as they negotiated the course at race speed. The Centennial Park course had less climbing than other events, but made up for it with tight technical sections.

Young Anton Cooper (Christchurch), aged 14, proved that last week’s performance of fifth overall was no coincidence, again crossing the finish line alongside the Elite Men. Cooper placed first in the Under 17 Men category and an astounding 7th overall. Cooper races with Team PushBikes led by Richard Allin - PushBikes has two bike shops in Canterbury and supports promising local riders.

They take the riders around the Cross Country race series, providing maintenance, coaching and covering costs. Allin said, ‘it gives these up and coming riders a chance to excel, and it’s great fun’.

Team PushBikes did really well in today’s race with Karen Collins placing 3rd in Elite Women, Logan Horn 2nd in Under 19 Men, Craig Oliver 1st in Under 15 Men, Brad Hudson 4th Under 19 Men, and Tayla Harrison 3rd in Under 17 Men. Harrison, racing his first season of Cross Country said ‘the course was a tough one, plenty of very technical sections and loose areas, but it was a good challenging race’.

Helena Parsons, President of Mountainbike NZ and event Commissaire said ‘the course was top notch, it really challenged the riders. It was a great day despite the heat and it is awesome that the local clubs put so much effort into it and that there is such great local support‘.

The third and final round in the NZCT South Island Cross Country Cup is held on Coronet Peak in Queenstown next weekend which completes the series. But it is only a warm up for many riders who are training towards the Raboplus NZ National Mountainbike Championships to be held in Nelson 26th February to 1st March.

Results - South Island Cross Country Cup Round 2 - Timaru
Elite Men

1 Brendon Sharratt, Christchurch,1:55.35; 2 Brad Tilby, Nelson, 1:56.23; 3 Ash Hough, Papamoa, 1:57.23;

Elite Women

1 Cathy Hamer, Hokitika, 2:17.41; 2 Erin Greene, Dunedin, 2:23.08; Karen Collins, Christchurch, 2:24.15.

Full results available at www.bikenz.org.nz/mtbcups