New Zealand National MTB Series - DH #1 - NE

Treble Cone, Wanaka, New Zealand, January 7, 2006

Results

Fast racing on Treble Cone

The 2006 Mountain Bike season got underway in near perfect conditions at Treble Cone, Wanaka, today (January 7) with record numbers of both series and round only entrants at the first round of the Downhill National Series.

World number 9 Nathan Rankin from Levin produced the fastest time in the morning seeding run to be in poll position for the Elite Men’s race, while Vanessa Quin fended off a determined Scarlett Hagen to secure poll position in the Elite women’s race.

The women’s field was boosted by two international riders, Stephanie Hatalsky from Colorado, USA and Helene Fruhwirth from Austria, but it was New Zealand’s former world champions that dominated with Quin holding off Hagen in the main race.

The Elite Men’s race was closely contested with less than 30 seconds between the field of 25 riders. The number of elite riders has grown considerably from 2005 with a large number of younger riders stepping up in search of experience ahead of the Oceania and World Championships being held in Rotorua later in the year.

In an exciting finish to the day, the leader changed 4 times with the last 5 riders, and Glenn Haden (3.13.60 minutes) edging out Nathan Rankin (3.14.38 minutes) to take the first round winners podium.

The Treble Cone event is round one of six Downhill races in the National series, which culminates with the Oceania Championships in Rotorua March 3-5. Round One of the Cross Country is in Dunedin tomorrow (Sunday). Round 2 takes place in Coronet Peak next weekend with all important UCI points and National selection points available.

Results

Elite Men
 
1 Glenn Haden (Wanganui)
2 Nathan Rankin (Levin)
3 Des Curry (Rotorua)
 
Elite Women
 
1 Vanessa Quin (Tauranga)
2 Scarlett Hagen (Queenstown)
3 Amy Laird (Christchurch)
 
Hardtail men
 
1 Graham Adriaens (Christchurch)
2 Lachlan Westrupp (Christchurch)
3 Andrew Higgins 
 
Senior Women
 
1 Hannah Latta (Wellington)
2 Harriet Harper (Christchurch)
3 Julia Stewart (Rakaia)
 
Master 1 Men (30+)
 
1 Christian Meuli (Queenstown)
2 Bevin Stewart (Rakaia)
3 Julian Thompson (Wanaka)
 
Master 2 Men (40+)
 
1 David Vieglais (Wellington)
2 Eddie Spearing (Wanaka)
3 Peter Oskam (Wanganui)
 
Senior Men
 
1 Sam Reed (Marlborough)
2 Solomon Reid (Tauranga)
3 Hadley Mackay (Edendale)
 
Under 17 Men
 
1 Peter Cooper (Blenheim)
2 David Scandrett (Christchurch)
3 Tom Sligh (Lyttelton)
 
Junior Men
 
1 Joel Daniels (Wanganui)
2 Matthew Scoles (Alexandra)
3 Brad Ineson (Christchurch)