Young Rotorua-based professional Tuhoto-Ariki Pene again led the way for kiwi riders in the elite downhill at the UCI MTB World Cup in Snowshoe, USA.
Pene, who rides for the MS Mondraker team, finished 28th in the final where several leading hopes along with the kiwi rider, had offs on the demanding course in West Virginia.
The Rotorua rider is in 23rd overall in the world series rankings, the only New Zealand gravity rider in the top 50.
Frenchman Loic Bruni, who leads the world standings despite just one victory this year, was on his way to number two after topping qualifying, but was among those to succumb to the Snowshoe course.
In a wild men’s final, former junior world champion Oisin O’Callaghan led a remarkable one-two finish for riders from Ireland as many of the most favoured contenders faltered.
The women’s downhill was won by French rider Marine Cabirou in a remarkably close contest with the leading three women within half a second.
Rotorua’s Jenna Hastings, last year’s junior world champion, missed out on the final by 0.1s after a strong effort in qualifying for the Pivot Factory professional.
Tomorrow’s action reverts to cross-country with four finals in elite and under-23 categories, before riders head across the border for the final round of the UCI MTN World Cup in Mt Sainte Anne in Quebec, Canada.
Results:
Elite men, semifinal: Loic Bruni (FRA) 3:10.038, 1; Oisin O’Callaghan (IRE) at 2.5, 2; Loris Vergier (FRA) at 3.4, 3. Also NZers: Tuhoto-Ariki Pene (MS Mondraker) at 8.2s, 18; Matthew Walker (Pivot Factory) at 11.3s, 35; Wyn Masters (GT Factory) at 11.1, 39; George Brannigan (NS Bikes UR) at 13.3, 46; Brook MacDonald (MS Mondraker) at 15.3s, 50; Sam Blenkinsop (Crestline) at 17.5s, 52.
Final: Final: Callaghan 3:07.624, 1; Ronan Dunne (IRE) at 0.4s, 2; Dakotah Norton (USA) at 1.3s, 3. Also: Tuhoto-Ariki Pene at 25.6s, 28.
Women semifinal: Valentina Holl (AUT) 3:36.550, 1; Marine Cabirou (FRA) at 0.6s, 2; Tahnee Seagrave (GBR) at 1.6s, 3. Also: Jenna Hastings (Pivot Factory, NZL) at 9.4s, 11.
Final: Cabirou 3:41.042, 1; Nina Hoffmann (GER) at 0.3s, 2; Holl at 0.6s, 3.