New Zealand star Anton Cooper claimed his ninth UCI Oceania Mountain Bike elite cross-country title at in Brisbane yesterday.
Cooper, who will ride for the new Lapierre PXR Racing team on the UCI world circuit this season, dominated the Oceania race to add further to his outstanding record.
After missing the title last year, Cooper established an 11 second lead on the opening loop and never looked back. He built on his advantage every lap to finish in 1:25:33, over three minutes clear of Australians Brent Rees and Aiden Lefmann.
Australian Rebecca Henderson won her seventh elite women’s title building a gap on the opening lap with New Zealanders Amelie Mackay and two-time winner Samara Sheppard pushing through to complete the podium.
Rotorua’s Milla Phipps produced a stellar ride to claim the women’s under-23 title, building a 10 second lead on the start loop, going on to dominate the five-lap race to claim the title in 1:10:32, over a minute clear.
Kiwi Eddie Adams was third in the under 23 men’s race behind Australians Jack Ward and Harry Doye.
It proved back-to-back titles for Waikato’s Kayley McMillian in the under 19 women’s. The Morrinsville rider made her move on the first full lap, building a 49 second advantage and never looked back winning in 1:12:20 by over two minutes.
Australian Connor Wright successfully defended his under 19 men’s title. He opened a lead of over two minutes but had to hold off a late charge from Te Miro rider James Climo who reduced deficit to one minute to collect the silver medal.
Results; Male, Elite: Anton Cooper (NZL) 1:25:33, 1; Brent Rees (AUS) 1:28:42, 2; Aiden Lefmann (AUS) 1:30:25, 3. Under 23: Jack Ward (AUS) 1:12:05, 1; Harry Doye (AUS) 1:12:29, 2; Eddie Adams (NZL), 3. Junior: Connor Wright (AUS) 1:15:27, 1; James Climo (NZL) 1:16:27, 2; Oliver Grande (AUS) 1:17:40, 3.
Female, Elite: Rebecca Henderson (AUS) 1:26:06, 1; Amelie Mackay (NZL) 1:28:53, 2; Samara Sheppard (NZL) 1:29:20, 3. Under-23: Milla Phipps (NZL) 1:10:32, 1; Ella Menigoz (AUS) 1:11:40, 2; Katy Taylor (AUS) 1:13:31, 3; Junior: Kayley McMillan (NZL) 1:12:20, 1; Silver: Freya Buckmaster (AUS) 1:14:26, 2; Alana Fletcher (AUS) 1:14:28, 3.
