Double success for Henderson, Cooper in Oceania MTB
- editor59343
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The opening two rounds of the UCI Oceania Continental MTB Series for cross-country proved a double-double success for outstanding professionals, Australian Rebecca Henderson and kiwi star Anton Cooper in Christchurch.
Cooper, readying himself for his 15th year on the professional world circuit, again took full advantage of the home track at Crocodile Park in Halswell, where he first learned the sport at age 11 years.
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Twenty years on, Cooper went from the start, opening a narrow early lead in the elite men’s race. He gradually rode the field off his wheel, finishing the arduous six laps in 1:23.05, and was the fastest elite rider over five laps.
Cooper finished exactly three minutes ahead of fellow UCI World Series professional, Sam Gaze, the Alpecin-Premier Tech professional who has made a later start to his 2026 season preparations.
“It feels good to get two wins. We missed the rain on both days,” said Cooper. “The tracks are riding really well and I am happy to go two-from-two and get a fat stack of points which really helps with my world ranking, which is really important to get short track at the world cups.
“These two results should solidify a spot in the top-40 so I am happy to have these two races here. It is a huge benefit to us kiwi riders. We don’t have too many races here so to do that here and get maximum points is nice.
“I love racing at home. It is a fun place to ride and race and the club do a great job in organising and preparing the track.”
Henderson made it a perfect start to the Oceania series with her second dominant victorying the elite women’s ranks in Christchurch as she prepares for another season on the UCI World Series.
The 34 year old from Canberra, who has two world championship medals on her palmares, opened a 13-second gap after the first lap and then was consistently fast from that point.
The Orbea Factory Team professional won in 1:07.21 from local Christchurch rider Mary Gray who was three minutes back with another strong performances.
Henderson, who has been on the UCI World Series since 2013, said she was delighted to start the year with two wins and pick up the extra points.
“I need a boost with my world rankings going into this year after missing quite a bit of racing last year,” said Henderson.
“It is a fresh reminder to find the rhythm of how to race. I am happy with how it has worked out.”
Henderson heads for a two-week venture to Spain tomorrow but plans to return for the Oceania rounds on home turf at Strombo in Canberra. I am looking forward to a home race and all the racing opportunities that have been given to us this season by the Kiwis, Aussies and the Oceania Federation.”
There is a three week break before the next round of the MTBNZ series in Taupo.
Results (all Christchurch unless stated)
Round 2 XCO:
Male, U15 (3 laps): George Armstrong (NZL) 44:44, 1; Jack Wells (NZL) 45:31, 2; George Newman (Taupo, NZL) 46:03, 3.
U17 (4 laps): Wilbur Talbot (NZL) 55:47, 1; Junsei Shirley (Tauranga, NZL) 55.53, 2; Austin Fisken (Tauranga, NZL) 57:27, 3.
U19 (5 laps) James Climo (Proformance Racing, NZL) 1:12.28, 1; Levi Gear (Proformance Racing, NZL) 1:15:44, 2; Tommy Mollison (Auckland, NZL) 1:15:48, 3.
U23 (5 laps): James Ward (Lidl Trek, AUS) 1:08.49, 1; Fletcher Adams (Hamilton, NZL) 1:11.41, 2, Coen Nicol (Taupo, NZL) 1:13.21, 3.
Elite: Male: Elite: Anton Cooper (Christchurch) 1:23.05, 1; Sam Gaze (Alpecin Premier Tech, Cambridge) 1:26.05, 2; Pierrick Burnet (FRA) 1:29:35; Toby Stewart (AUS) 1:30.49, 4.
Female, U15 (2 laps): Isla Smyie (NZL) 33:02, 1; Christina Symons (NZL) 34.25, 2.
U17 (2 laps): Sylvia Dagg (Garigal, AUS) 30:10, 1; Abigail Junge (NZL) 32:34, 2; Alyssa Nyhan (NZL) 34:24, 3.
U19 (4 laps): Kayley McMillan (Te Miro, NZL) 1:08.02, 1; Dulcie Copeland (Tauranga, 1:21.19, 2; Bianca Stewart (Taupo, NZL) 1:24.24, 3.
U23 (4 laps): Maria Laurie (NZL) 1:11.39, 1; Ruby Taylor (AUS) 1:12.13, 2; Milla Phipps (Rotorua, NZL) 1:12.20, 3.
Elite (4 laps): Rebecca Henderson (AUS) 1:07.21, 1; Mary Gray (NZL) 1:09.28, 2; Sarah Tucknott (AUS) 1:10.00, 3.