Kiwi mountain bikers will be go to new heights to build on their recent outstanding form in the latest round of the UCI MTB World Cup in Andorra this weekend.
There are 10 New Zealand gravity riders in the top-12 on the current world rankings across elite and junior categories going into the sixth round of downhill. Meanwhile current world-ranked No 1 in women’s cross-country, Sammie Maxwell, will look to extend her advantage in her rookie year in the elite competition.
Riders will battle at high altitude at the resort at Pal Arinsal, with the downhill track descending 400m from a starting hut perched at 2,240m while the cross-country riders will reach a high point of 2000m in a demanding test.
New Zealand gravity riders have been competitive across all four categories this season with Trek Factory team rider, Lachlan Stevens-McNab (Rotorua) up to 12th overall in the elite men’s standings, while Cube Factory’s Jess Blewitt (Queenstown) is ninth in the elite women.
It has been several years since the likes of veteran kiwis Brook MacDonald and Sam Blenkinsop were regulars in the UCI MTB downhill top-10.
The 21-year-old Stevens-McNab is finding form with his new Trek Factory team, finishing sixth in Poland followed by two fourth placings in Leogang and last week in La Thuile in the elite men’s competition.
Likewise Blewitt, riding with Cube Factory, was 10th at Leogang, ninth at Bielsko-Biala and ninth last weekend in La Thuile to move to ninth overall on the elite women’s standings.
There is a strong group of emerging kiwi elite females in the elite competition including former junior world champions Jenna Hastings (Pivot Factory) and Erice van Leuven (Norco Race) along with two-time junior world medallist, Sasha Earnest (Trek Factory).
The future ranks look rosy for kiwi junior downhillers, with four riders in the world’s top 10 in both junior women and junior men.
Leading the charge among junior gravity riders is Hawkes Bay rider Tyler Waite (Yeti-Fox Factory) who is only eight points off the lead in junior men with compatriots Oli Clark (Kaikoura, MS Racing) fifth and Jonty Williamson (Palmerston North, Yeti-Fox) sixth in the standings.
Kiwis charging in junior women downhill include Eliana Hulsebosch (Tauranga, Santa Cruz Synd) who is fourth overall and only two points off second; Bellah Birchall (Rotorua, Team High Country) is fifth and exciting 17-year-old Kate Hastings (Rotorua, Pivot Factory) is seventh after just three starts.
The weekend is the end of a busy run of racing, before a three week break until the European battle resumes in August.
Taupo’s Sammie Maxwell will look to extend her outstanding results in elite cross-country with the Decathlon Ford rider leading overall after one victory and second placing in each of the last four races, and she will be looking to build on that form at altitude.
Sam Gaze returns to racing after time out for the birth of his first child, with the advantage of living near-by in Andorra, while Lapierre Racing rider, Anton Cooper continues after showing significant progress in his return to top level racing.
The action starts with qualifying for downhill in early Saturday morning (NZT) along with cross-country short track races.
The downhill finals will start from 9.30pm on Saturday evening NZT through to early Sunday morning, with the cross-country races starting at 7pm Sunday NZT through to Monday early morning.
New Zealand entries for Pal Arinsal, Andorra are:
Downhill Round 6: Men Elite: Angus Ferguson (Christchurch), Sam Gale (Nelson), James Macdermid (Hamilton), Toby Meek (Queenstown), Tuhoto-Ariki Pene (MS Racing, Rotorua), Lachie Stevens-McNab (Trek Factory, Rotorua), Luke Wayman (Continental Atherton, Christchurch).
Junior: Seppy Binsbergen (New Plymouth), Malik Boatwright (High Road, Queenstown), Oli Clark (MS Racing, Kaikoura), Rory Meek (Queenstown), Cooper Millwood (Yeti Development NZ, Alexandra), Sterling Stevens-McNab (Rotorua), Tyler Waite (Yeti Fox, Clive), Jonty Williamson (Yeti Fox, Palmerston North).
Women, Elite: Jess Blewitt (Cube Factory, Queenstown), Sacha Earnest (Trek Factory, Auckland), Jenna Hastings (Pivot Factory, Rotorua), Erice van Leuven (Norco Race, Hutt Valley).
Junior: Bellah Birchall (High Country, Rotorua), Indy Deavoll (Yeti NZ Development, Queenstown), Kate Hastings (Pivot Factory, Rotorua), Eliana Hulsebosch (Santa Cruz Synd, Tauranga).
Cross-country, Male elite: Anton Cooper (Lapierre Racing Unity, Christchurch), Sam Gaze (Alpecin-Deceuninck, Cambridge).
Female, Elite: Sammie Maxwell (Decathlon Ford, Taupo).
Male Under-23: Coen Nicol (Taupo), Ethan Rose (Trek Future, Christchurch).
Female, Under-23: Amelie Mackay (Christchurch).