Clinton Avery (New Zealand) (Image credit: Tour of Japan)
Two of New Zealand's recently crowned national champions won the third round of their national series in Rotorua this weekend. Clinton Avery won the elite men's race by over seven minutes, and Anja McDonald rode strongly to finish over two minutes ahead of her nearest competitor.
"It's a fantastic track, one I know quite well, felt quite good out there and didn't have any crashes," said McDonald, riding for Santa Cruz.
Riders were greeted with sunshine and blue skies for the first time this season and took the opportunity to post some fast times. The 7.8km course at the world famous Redwoods, one of the more extensive trial networks in New Zealand, incorporated classic mountain bike trails including some of the very first trials purpose built in New Zealand. Over NZ$50,000 a year is spent annually on maintaining and upgrading the tracks, with the help of the Rotorua Mountain Bike Club.
