Leov takes final round of the RaboPlus South Island Downhill Cup presented by Nature Valley

The final round of the RaboPlus MTB Cups presented by Nature Valley was held at Strachan Peak in Blenheim today with New Zealander and world ranked #5 Justin Leov (Christchurch) taking out the Elite Mens win. In second was last rounds winner Danny Hart (UK), while Sam Blenkinsop (Wanganui) placed third. Leov said 'my run didn't feel like a normal race run, I felt really unfit but when I got to the bottom my time was pretty good and I ended up winning'.

In the Elite Women category, two time World Downhill Champion Sabrina Jonnier (France) won with local rider Harriet Harper taking second. Harper enjoyed the weekend of racing and was happy to host the large number of downhill racers on her home track. Harper said 'it's great to see everyone enjoying the track, there aren't many of us who ride in Blenheim so it's awesome to have lots of people to ride with on home ground'. Harriet Ruecknagel (Germany) placed third.

Race organiser Sam Reed was pleased with the number of riders and especially thankful the weather cleared up after extremely high rainfall the day before practise saying 'the track was just a mud pit so we are lucky the sun came out or it could have been very messy, everyone was stoked with the track in the end'.

This was the final race in the series of three comprising the South Island Downhill Cup, and the last event of the NZ MTB Cup. Riders will now head to Nelson for the National Mountain Bike Championships from February 26 to March 1 which includes Downhill and Cross Country racing as well as Dual Slalom, Hillclimb, Short Track Cross Country and Fourcross events.

Results - South Island Downhill Cup Round 3 - Blenheim

Elite Men

1 Justin Leov, Christchurch, 3:01.88; 2 Danny Hart, UK, 3:03.18; 3 Sam Blenkinsop, Wanganui.

Elite Women

1 Sabrina Jonnier, France, 3:34.37; 2 Harriet Harper, Blenheim, 3:45.02; 3 Harriet Ruecknagel, Germany, 3:48.58.