New Zealand ultra-quick junior women downhill riders were on fire again in the final European stop of the UCI MTB World Cup in France.
The four Kiwis qualified in the top five for Sunday’s finals at Loudenvielle in the French Pyrenees after an impressive display in qualifying on a drying surface after wet weather forced the cancellation of practice day.
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World championship bronze medallist Sacha Earnest (Trek Factory) led the way as fastest qualifier with Tauranga’s Eliana Hulsebosch (Union) just 0.26s behind in second, world champion Erice van Leuven (Commencal les Orres) third fastest and Rotorua’s Bellah Birchall fifth fastest.
The quartet qualified for the finals, on a competitive day.
Hawkes Bay rider Tyler Waite (Yeti Fox) was third fastest in the junior men with Christchurch’s Luke Wayman (Gravity Cartel) 15th as the only kiwis to qualify for the final.
The weather disrupted the usual two-step qualifying for elite riders, with the fastest 10 females and 30 males making it directly to the finals.
In-form Rotorua professional Lachlan Stevens-McNab (Union) was the only kiwi male to qualify, ninth fastest in another impressive effort, led by French star Loic Bruni, who was three seconds clear at the top of the standings.
Missing out were Tuhoto-Ariki Pene 31st, Sam Blenkinsop 36th, Wyn Masters 65th, Toby Meek 70th, James Macdermid 100th, Cameron Clemett 107th while George Brannigan did not start.
Both New Zealand female elites missed the cut with Jenna Hastings 17th and Jess Blewitt 24th.
Following the finals tomorrow, the remaining leg of the World Cup for downhill is at Mont Sainte Anne in Canada in a month, while cross-country had an added stop at Lake Placid in three weeks.
Caption: Sacha Earnest in action on her way to the podium at the recent UCI MTB World Championships. (SWPix)