Blenkinsop and Ragot win New Zealand downhill round in Auckland
Round 2 held in Hunua Ranges
Wanganui professional Sam Blenkinsop carried on his stellar form to win the final round of the New Zealand downhill mountain bike Cup in the Hunua ranges, Auckland.
Blenkinsop, 24, won the elite men's race in a time of 2:31.61, two seconds ahead of fellow professional Brook MacDonald in 2:33.61. Matt Walker, brother of Olympian Olympic BMX medallist Sarah, took third place in 2:33.33.
France's Emmeline Ragot showed her class to blitz the rest of the field in a time of 2:53.34 to win the elite women's race with the UK's Jess Stone second in 2:58.31. Alanna Columb was the first New Zealander home, in third place, with a time of 3:00.59.
Ragot, the two-time world champion, was happy with her run, but wasn't taking any risks before her professional season starts in Europe soon,
"It was my first race in a while and first proper ride on my bike. I was really enjoying it, and it was a fast track," Ragot said.
"I didn't try the big jumps, they were a bit scary and it's not prime season right now. If it were a World Cup then maybe I would try, but not here. I'm trying to stay safe."
Hot, dry conditions, combined with a fast track made for exciting racing, however it also wasn't without casualty. Local teenager Aaron Ewen was airlifted to hospital after sustaining serious injuries as a result of a crash during his practice run yesterday.
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The round served as the final showdown before the New Zealand mountain bike national championships next weekend in Rotorua, the feature event of the inaugural Rotorua Bike Festival.
Brief results
# | Rider Name (Country) Team | Result |
---|---|---|
1 | Sam Blenkinsop (NZl) | 0:02:31.61 |
2 | Brook MacDonald (NZl) | 0:00:02.00 |
3 | Matt Walker (NZl) | 0:00:01.72 |
# | Rider Name (Country) Team | Result |
---|---|---|
1 | Emmeline Ragot (Fra) | 0:02:53.34 |
2 | Jess Stone (GBr) | 0:00:04.97 |
3 | Alanna Columb (NZl) | 0:00:07.25 |
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
'I didn’t really know who I was outside of racing anymore' – Fem van Empel to pin on a number again at La Choralis Fourmies but cyclocross focus fuels return of three-time world champion
23-year-old Dutch rider plans to leave the road behind so she can 'dive in and do what I love most' -
Virginia's Blue Ridge GO Cross: Canadian Maghalie Rochette and US national champion Andrew Strohmeyer win elite C1 races to begin US Cyclocross Series
Mia Aseltine, Manon Bakker on podium for elite women while Eric Brunner, Tyler Clark go second, third for elite men at USCX opener in Roanoke -
Melisa Rollins and Alexey Vermeulen win elite titles at Chequamegon MTB Festival in fourth round of Life Time Grand Prix
Defending women's champion Sofia Gomez Villafañe best of chasers in second place, while Kyan Olshave and Brendan Johnston take podium spots in 15-rider men's bunch finish -
How to watch the Vuelta a España 2025: TV, streaming, official broadcasters
Where to watch the third and final men's Grand Tour of the season from August 23 to September 14 in Spain