Taupo’s Sammie Maxwell worked hard for an important podium placing to maintain her overall lead after round seven of the UCI MTB cross-country world series in France.
The Decathlon Ford professional finished third behind Sweden’s Jenny Rissveds and Swiss star Alessandra Keller at Les Gets in the Haute Savoie region.
It was the seventh straight podium finish for Maxwell comprising two wins, three second-placings and two third-placings. Her lead is now 435 points clear of Rissveds in the overall standings with three rounds remaining.
The 23-year-old was pleased with her race but disappointed in a mistake that could have cost her a higher spot on the podium.
“I had a really good race today but I learned a lot. I didn’t race the smartest,” said Maxwell after returning to her base in nearby Morzine.
Maxwell felt that she may have had a slow flat tyre but opted not to stop to change.
“I could and should have backed my ability to close-down the riders ahead after a wheel change. I’ve done that before. But I was not sure if it was flat or not and was really doubting myself.
“I kept telling myself it was just in my head, but it was going flat and I should have changed it.”
Despite that Maxwell was pleased with the overall effort to be close to the lead until late in the race when Rissveds rode clear. Switzerland’s Alessandra Keller edged ahead of the kiwi rider to claim second 10 seconds ahead of Maxwell.
Maxwell was thrilled to have a strong race in front of her parents among the keen spectators. She will be back into training tomorrow to prepare for the world championships in nearby Valais, Switzerland in eight days.
The rest of the kiwi team were not competitive in Les Gets, with both Sam Gaze and Anton Cooper two laps down in the elite men. Taupo’s Coen Nichol was well down in the under-23 men, with Ethan Rose not finishing, while Christchurch’s Amelie Mackay one lap down in junior women.
Result: UCI MTB Cross-country, Rd 7 Les Gets: Women elite: Jenny Rissveds (SWE) 1:12.01, 1; Alessandra Keller (SUI) at 1:12, 2; Samara Maxwell (Decathlon Ford, NZL) at 1:32, 3.