RaboPlus MTB Down hill results Queenstown

An international field took out the top three spots on the Elite Men podium today after an extremely close race at Round Five of the Rabolpus MTB Cups presented by Nature Valley. In first place was Danny Hart (UK) with Fabien Pedemanaud (France) in second and Ben Cathro (Scotland) in third. There were milliseconds between the top five placings and the crowd went wild as competitors’ times were posted on the scoreboard.

New Zealand’s best Elite Men finishes came from Justin Leov (Christchurch) who placed fourth with Cameron Cole (Christchurch) in fifth. Leov was not happy with his mornings 8th placed seeding run but picked up the pace for his race run, cutting over four seconds off his time - with such a tight race that improvement made a big difference. Leov said ‘the course was good fun, nothing too technical which is what made it such a tight race; it was great to have so many international riders compete - not only does it make us race harder, but it makes sense for them to come to the Southern Hemisphere to continue their riding while it is cold back home’.

There was a huge field in the Elite Women category, which made for exciting competition. Several international racers were also on the podium with Harriet Ruecknagel (Germany) taking first place. Harriet Harper (Blenheim) defended her spot on the podium from Dunedin two weeks ago, placing second. Third place was taken by international newcomer Katrina Strand (Canada), who arrived in New Zealand this week for a month of riding and racing.

New Zealander’s Olivia Johnston (Christchurch) and Gabrielle Molloy (Rotorua) placed fourth and fifth respectively. Molloy, who raced today after a break in the series due to injury was glad to be back on the bike and racing against a strong field saying ‘it is lots of fun racing with the girls and it’s great to see so many riders in the Open Women category too, the track was fast and made for close competition’.

A busy category in today’s race was the Senior Men and with over 50 riders competing for a spot on the podium it was an extremely tight race. Team Blueshark rider Jimmy Pollard (Alexandra) took the win, crossing the line in 3:11.07. Pollard, who raced the track today for the third year running was very happy with his first win of the NZ Cup and said ‘I was stoked to hold together a good clean run, it was so much fun but it was very stiff competition and the course was forever changing so it was a good challenge’.

The race was held under perfect sunny conditions with no wind - a huge contrast to the conditions on practise day which caused delays during the morning due to freezing temperatures of minus five, and 5cm of snowfall up the peak of the mountain. Coronet Peak’s Operations Manager said ‘we were very lucky with the weather today compared to practise day. It was also great to see so many members of the public up here making the most of the facilities and using the lift for viewing the race’. Coronet Peak’s lift-serviced track is the only one used as part of the series and is a great asset - it means riders can get back to the top of the course in quick time, maximising their practise time.

This was the second race in the series of three for the South Island with the final round being held in Blenheim next weekend. Tomorrow sees the final round of the South Island Cross Country Cup, also at Coronet Peak. Riders will then head to Nelson for the New Zealand National Mountain Bike Championships being from February 26 to March 1.

Results - South Island Downhill Cup Round 2 - Queenstown

Elite Men

1 Danny Hart, UK; 3:01.57; 2 Fabien Pedemanaud, France, 3:02.09; 3 Ben Cathro, Scotland, 3:02.13.

Elite Women

1 Harriet Ruecknagel, Germany, 3:33.02; 2 Harriet Harper, Blenheim, 3:36.14; 3 Katrina Strand, Canada, 3:42.07.

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