Steep World Cup test for NZ MTB riders in Italy
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New Zealand’s growing list of MTB racers take on arguably the steepest terrain on the circuit at La Thuile in Italy near the French border for the latest round of the UCI World Series for downhill, cross-country and enduro this weekend.
After joining the downhill World Cup circuit last year, La Thuile offers a super-steep, technical and challenging courses.
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There are 37 kiwi riders competing this weekend, headed by current junior men’s downhill leader Jonty Williamson (Yeti Fox Factory) who is unbeaten this season, and Christchurch’s Winni Goldsbury (Specialised) who is third overall in the elite enduro standings.
The downhill course of 1.84m is the steepest gradient on any World cup course and poses a different challenge from the event park-style courses.
The cross-country course is among the natural terrain of the region, including stunning alpine sections, and a rock garden among other notable features.
The enduro competition is over four stages of nearly 10kms with approximately 300m ascent and 4.4km of descending.
There are predictions of ideal conditions in La Thuile this weekend as a break from recent wet weather that has been such a factor in racing.
Short course cross-country starts the competition tonight (NZT), along with qualifying for downhill through to Saturday morning NZT. The four-stage Enduro starts on Saturday evening NZT, along with downhill finals, with cross-country set for Sunday-Monday NZT.
The New Zealand entrants at La Thuile are:
XCO, Elite: Anton Cooper (Lapierre PXR, Christchurch), Jesse Cseh (Deviate Cycles, Wellington), Sam Gaze (Alpecin Premier Tech, Cambridge).
Under-23: Fletcher Adams (Hamilton)
Downhill, Men Elite: Oli Clark (Mondraker Factory, Kaikoura), James MacDermid (The Alliance, Queenstown), Wyn Masters (New Plymouth), Tuhoto-Ariki Pene (MS Racing, Rotorua), Cooper Millwood (Alexandra), Lachlan Stevens-McNab (Trek Unbroken, Rotorua), Seth Stylie (Yeti Fox, Auckland), Tyler Waite (Yeti Fox Factory, Clive), Luke Wayman (Yeti Fox Factory, Christchurch).
Women Elite: Bellah Birchall (The Alliance, Rotorua), Jess Blewitt (Scott Downhill, Queenstown), Sacha Earnest (Trek Unbroken, Auckland), Jenna Hastings (Pivot Factory, Rotorua), Kate Hastings (Rotorua), Eliana Hulsebosch (Santa Cruz, Tauranga).
Men Junior: Seppy Binsbergen (New Plymouth), Malik Boatwright (Continental Atherton, Queenstown), Cole Hulsebosch (Tauranga), Jed Kuegler (New Plymouth), Monte Lieshout, Dexter Lock (New Plymouth), Camden Rutherfurd (Nukeproof Axess, New Plymouth), Jack Sole (Queenstown), Sterling Stevens-McNab (The Alliance, Rotorua), Jonty Williamson (Yeti Fox Factory, Palmerston North). Cooper Millwood (Yeti Fox NZ, Alexandra),
Women Junior: Indy Deavoll (Stoic Racing, Queenstown), Capella Martin (Martinborough), Kiera Vlaar (Wellington).
Enduro Elite Male: Bradley Harris (Alexandra), Asher Hart (Tauranga), Joe Millington (Yeti NZ, Rotorua), Eli Robertson (Nelson), Marcus Sayers (Yeti-Fox, Alexandra).
Junior: Nico Schroder (Nelson).
Female Elite: Winni Goldsbury (Christchurch), George Swift (Warkworth).