Leov impresses to win RaboPlus downhill mountainbike title

World No 5 ranked Justin Leov produced a stunning performance to win the downhill title at the RaboPlus New Zealand Mountainbike Championships in Nelson yesterday.

Leov (Christchurch), who has just signed for the new Trek professional team, went in as the second fastest after the seeding run behind fellow New Zealand team-mate Sam Blenkinsop (Wanganui) who won the dual slalom on Friday.

Leov, who was sixth in last year’s world championships, ripped down the course in 3:21:74 to lay down the challenge to Blenkinsop.

The Wanganui rider was unable to answer the challenge, finishing second just over a second outside Leov’s time.

Veteran Nathan Rankin (Levin), who had a disastrous seeding run, got his act together with a 3:25:45 effort to lead for much of the competition.

His time was bettered only by Leov, Blenkinsop and Kieren Bennett (Nelson).
Blenheim’s Harriet Harper won the women’s title in 4:49:46, three seconds clear of Christchurch’s Amy Laird.

nternationals Emmeline Ragot (FRA), Sabrina Jonnier (FRA) and Harriet Reucknagal (GER) dominated the competition although were in eligible for national honours.

Competitors were greeted to a hot sunny day although the track cut out considerably after the heavy rain that fell on Saturday.

Meanwhile Christchurch’s Nathan Sharratt took out the Four Cross final.
Sharratt, whose brother Brendon was runner-up in the crosscountry, managed a clean run to take out the final convincingly.

The experienced Wyn Masters, his brother Eddie and Scotland’s Ben Cathro all tangled on the first corner of the final while Sharratt was able to keep clear of the melee. He finished well clear of Wyn Masters with Eddie Masters third and Cathro fourth after a further off down the muddy surface.

Results, Downhill:
Elite men: Justin Leov (Christchurch) 3:21.74, 1; Sam Blenkinsop (Wanganui) 3:22.91, 2; Kieren Bennett (Nelson) 3:25:45, 3; Nathan Rankin (Levin) 3:29:18, 4; Edward

Masters (New Plymouth) 3:30:32, 5.
 

Under-19: Brook MacDonald (Napier) 3:29:32, 1; George Brannigan (Hawkes Bay) 3:40:59, 2; Rupert Chatman (Christchurch) 3:49:55, 3.
 

Under-17: Reuben Olorenshaw (Nelson) 3:55:12, 1; Daniel Franks (Christchurch) 3:57:26, 2; Simon Barratt (Christchurch) 4:04:49, 3.
Four Cross Final: Nathan Sharratt (Chritchurch) 1, Wyn Masters (Taranaki) 2, Eddie

Masters (Taranaki) 3, Ben Cathro (Scotland) 4.
 

Elite women, downhill: Harriet Harper (Blenheim) 4:49:46, 1; Amy Laird (Christchurch) 4:52.20, 2; Gabrielle Malloy (Rotorua) 4:55.60, 3.
FULL RESULTS: WWW.BIKENZ.ORG.NZ