Avery and Fry go clear to win elite races

Sunday's cross country race at Hamilton's Pukete Mountainbike Trails saw competitors give the high intensity race course the thumbs up as a large crowd of spectators were served up a treat of tactical, attacking cross country racing.

The afternoon saw two elite riders grasped their opportunities today to claim podium top steps. Eloise Fry recorded a start-to-finish victory as she headed off constant pressure from Katherine O'Neill and a fast finishing Monique Avery.

In the elite men's event, Patrick Avery diced for the lead Hamilton rider Scott Thorne during their six-lap race. However, Avery attacked on the last lap to finally open a slim gap on Thorne who had set the pace for most of the race.

For Avery, victory marked a watershed - still an under 23 rider, it was Avery's first big win in the elite ranks and his confidence will be boosted no end for the New Zealand MTB Cup final next weekend, and the National and Oceania Championship events which follow.

Auckland's Lachlan McArthur rode an aggressive race in the under 19 category and was never in danger as built a steady lead over Rotorua's Sam Shaw during their five lap race. Likewise for McArthur, this was his first major national-level win and shows his potential. Alexa Peters also rode a strong tactical race to win the under 19 women's race.

The morning's age group categories had given a taste of what was to come during the afternoon elite, under 23 and under 19 race starts. Waikato locals showed the benefit of local knowledge with James Gurney (Master 1) and Josh Parkin (Under 17) attacking late to claim their respective events.