Veteran pair in form at Oceania MTB Christchurch
- editor59343
- 5 hours ago
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The two dominant cross-country mountain bikers in Oceania competition, Australian Rebecca Henderson and kiwi Anton Cooper, claimed the opening round honours in the UCI Continental Series in Christchurch.
Four-time Olympian Henderson grabbed an emphatic win in Christchurch today to start the series on the strongest note.
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The two-time world championship medallist was untroubled in winning the elite women’s honours, clearing out from the field from the start to set fastest time on each of the first four laps before easing down on the final loop to win in 1:34.41.
Christchurch rider Mary Gray finished strongly to push through to second place 1:18 behind Henderson while clubmate Amelie Mackay had an excellent final lap to pip Australian Sarah Tucknott for the final spot on the podium by just eight seconds.
“It was really nice today. The trails here are super-nice. I could complain a little about the weather but really happy to be here and kick off the championship in New Zealand,” said Henderson.
“I am hoping for much the same tomorrow. It’s cool to have b ack-to-back racing here to start the summer.”
Cooper, in preparations for another UCI World Series season, was in a class of his own on his home trails at Crocodile Park.
He opened a 10 second gap on fellow kiwi and Alpecin-Premier Tech professional, Sam Gaze after three laps before the Cambridge rider suffered two flats on lap four. Once back in action he pushed back to second but finished and eventually finished five minutes down on the winner.
French visitor Pierrick Burnet was third with North Canterbury’s Louis Wilson claiming fourth.
“It was super fun and I love it riding at home here at the Halswell Quarry. There was a bit of home advantage so I tried to make the most of that and pushed on the descents. I was climbing quite well to defend the lead as well.
“It’s always tough riding against Sam (Gaze), one of the best riders in the world, so I had to be on my A game.
“It’s a bit daunting with an hour and a half race today and then backing it up again tomorrow especially early in the season. But it is another fun chance to race at home, but let’s see what the weather brings.”
The visiting Australia enjoyed some other wins in the female racing, with Victorian Ruby Taylor winning the under-23 race and junior national champion Sylvia Dagg from New South Wales, won the under-17.
Te Miro club rider Kayley McMillan led a New Zealand clean-sweep of the podium in under 19.
Talented Melbourne rider James Ward took out the men’s under-23 honours in a battle with kiwis Coen Nicol (Taupo) and Fletcher Adams (Hamilton).
The other male honours went to kiwi riders with James Climo (Hamilton) winning the under-19 title while local Christchurch club riders Wilbur Talbot and George Armstrong win the under-17 and under-15 honours.
Round two is at the same venue on Sunday.
Round 1 results (all NZL unless stated):
Female, elite: Rebecca Henderson (Orbea Fox, AUS) 1:34:41, 1; Mary Gray (Christchurch) 1:35:59, 2; Amelie Mackay (Christchurch) 1:36.31, 3.
Under-23: Ruby Taylor (AUS) 1:19.31, 1; Milla Phipps (Rotorua) 1:20.21, 2; Maria Laurie (Christchurch) 1:20.47, 3.
Under-19: Kayley McMillan (Te Miro) 56:26, 1; Dulcie Copeland (Tauranga) 1:06.10, 2; Bianca Stewart (Taupo) 1:08.29, 3.
Under-17: Sylvia Dagg (Garigal, AUS) 39:30, 1; Abigail Junge (Christchurch) 42:57, 2; Alyssa Nyhan (Christchurch) 44:03, 3.
Female, Under-15: Isla Smylie (Christchurch) 43:55, 1.
Male: Elite: Anton Cooper (Christchurch) 1:33.24, 1; Sam Gaze (Alpecin Premier Tech, Cambridge) 1:38.25, 2; Pierrick Burnet (FRA) 1:43.31; Louis Wilson (North Canterbury) 1:44.22, 4.
Under-23: James Ward (AUS) 47:29, 1; Coen Nicol (Taupo, NZL) 48:42, 2; Fletcher Adams (Hamilton, NZL) 48:44, 3.
Under-19: James Climo (Hamilton) 1:04.48, 1; Levi Gear (Pro Formance)1L07.31, 2; Tommy Mollison (Totara Park) 1:08.53, 3.
Under-17: Wilbur Talbot (Christchurch) 54.09, 1; Ethan Richardson (Christchurch) 54:56, 2; Ethan Forest (Christchurch) 56:08, 3.
Under-15: George Armstrong (Christchurch) 38.54, 1; Jack Wells (Christchurch) 39:38, 2; George Newman (Taupo) 41:30, 3.
