Leov and Hagen take top UCI Points at Subaru SI Downhill Cup Round 3

A large crowd were treated to an exciting day of downhill racing today at the 3rd and final round of the Subaru South Island Downhill Cup in Nelson.

NZ Professional rider Justin Leov came out on top in hot and dry conditions and he picked up the maximum UCI World ranking points that were up for grabs. 2nd place was enough to secure the overall South Island Downhill Cup title for Nathan Rankin from Levin.

Defending national Champion and Nelson local, Kieran Bennett was top qualifier after the seeding run but a crash on the competition run left him 4th on the days standings.

In the Elite Women, Scarlett Hagen picked up the double with a comprehensive win today. Hagen’s win put her well clear on the Overall Cup standings. An ambitious double jump at the finish line brought Hagen flying over the finish line over 20 seconds clear of 2nd placed Sheryl MacLeod. MacLeod was also 2nd in overall Cup standings.

Riders will return to the same downhill course in March for the Oceania Mountain Bike Championships.

The next event on the 2008 Mountain Bike Cup Series is the final round of the NZCT South Island Cross Country taking place in Waipara, North Canterbury on January 20th.

Results
Round 3 Subaru South Island Cup

Nelson

Elite Men

Justin Leov (3:02.58) 1, Nathan Rankin (3:03.07) 2, Matt Scoles (3:10.49) 3



Elite Women

Scarlett Hagen (3:41.36) 1, Sheryl MacLeod (4:02.85)2, Helene Fruwirth (4:17.27) 3



Subaru South Island Downhill Cup Overall Results

Elite Men

Nathan Rankin(Levin) 1, Matt Scoles (Alexandra) 2, Michael Skinner (Auckland)3



Elite Women

1,Scarlett Hagen (Queenstown) 2 Sheryl MacLeod (Dunedin),3 ,Helene Fruhwirth (Austria)



For Full Results go to www.bikenz.org.nz