Taranaki rider strong showing in UCI MTB downhill
Taranaki teenager Camden Rutherfurd bagged his first UCI MTB World Cup victory on a day when kiwi riders again shone at the penultimate round for downhill at Whistler, Canada.
The 17-year-old Rutherfurd (Nukeproof Axess) prevailed in the junior men’s downhill final on a challenging, soft and wet Whistler course on a day when two other kiwis were pipped for podiums.
Tauranga’s Eliana Hulsebosch and Christchurch’s Luke Wayman, both 19 years, were edged from their first elite podiums, both settling for fourth placings after stellar performances.
Rutherfurd, who has been in the shadow of world champion Jonty Williamson and fellow kiwi Malik Boatwright in the junior men’s category, came to the fore today.
With Williamson out with injury and Boatwright back in 16th spot, the New Plymouth rider dominated to earn the victory by over five seconds after a superb run.
While Williamson and Boatwright are first and second in the overall standings with one round remaining, Rutherfurd has moved to fourth, 22 points from a kiwi clean sweep.
Hulsebosch (Santa Cruz Syndicate) was second fastest qualifier in the elite women and while setting an excellent time in the final, she was edged from her first elite podium by the final rider.
It was a similar story for Wayman in the elite men’s final where the Continental Atherton professional set the standard as he perched on both of the hot seat for much of the competition.
Fellow kiwi Lachlan Stevens-McNab flew into the lead but was disqualified for travelling outside the course, before the final three seeds all snuck ahead of Wayman to prevent the kiwi earning his first elite podium.
No New Zealand junior women made finals this weekend although Queenstown’s Indy Deavoll (Stoic Racing) is in sixth place on the overall standings.
The riders move to Lake Placid in New York State for the final round of the UCI MTB World Cup this weekend, which is combined with cross-country.
Results:
Junior men: Camden Rutherfurd (Nukeproof Axess, New Plymouth) 3:35.004, 1; Lois Eller (GER) at 5.688s, 2; Boston Bryant (USA) at 6.555, 3. Also NZers: Seppy Binsbergen at 15.914s, 10th; Cole Huslebosch (Orbea FMD, Tauranga) at 24.112s, 15; Malik Boatwright (Continental Atherton, Queenstown) at 28.057, 16.
Standings: Jonty Williamson (Yeti-Fox Factory, Palmerston North) 369 points, 1; Boatwright 255; 2; Sacha Brizin (FRA) 224,3; Rutherfurd 202, 4.
Elite female: Valentina Holl (AUT) 4:13.405, 1; Gracey Hemstreet (CAN) at 0.334s, 2; Lisa Bouladou (FRA) at 2.682, 3. Also NZers: Eliana Hulsebosch (Santa Cruz Synd, Tauranga) at 5.892, 4; Sacha Earnest (Trek Unbroken, Auckland) at 10.892, 9; Kate Hastings (Team High Country, Rotorua) at 14.014, 10; Jenna Hastings (Pivot Factory, Rotorua) at 21.707, 13.
Standings: Voll 2010, Gloria Scarsi (ITA) 1053, Harriet Harnden (GBR) 1045. Also NZers: Earnest 750, 9; Hulsebosch 476, 12; Jenna Hastings 353, 14; Jess Blewitt 342, 15; Kate Hastings 134, 19.
Elite male: Asa Vermette (USA) 3:23.930, 1; Max Alran (FRA) at 4.365s, 2; Amaury Pierron (FRA) at 7.032, 3. Also NZers: Luke Wayman (Continental Atherton, NZL) at 7.884, 4; Tuhoto-Ariki Pene (MS Racing, Rotorua) at 13.064, 18; Lachie Stevens-McNab (Trek Unbroken, Rotorua) dsq.
Standings: Vermette 1347, Jordan Williams (GBR) 1251, Pierron 1173, 3. Also NZers: Tyler Waite 375, 22; Luke Wayman 359, 24; Stevens-McNab 342, 26; Tuhoto-Ariki Pene 153, 39.
Caption: Eliana Hulsebosch, Camden Rutherfurd and Luke Wayman in action at the world championships. (SWPix)
