The Triple Crown Enduro event has 3 timed downhill runs like usual but this year had a slight change in format compared to other years having shorter runs for each stage with the longest run taking around 6 min. The night before there had been a massive downpour and a good show of lightning, luckily enough for us there was only little patches of light rain on the day of the race.
The first stage started at Tihi O Tawa and finished at the end of Billy T, I was seeded first so was plowing into the puddles straight away. This stage was the most fun though with the main aim for me to stay on my bike and pedal when I could, it felt a bit slow but I was pretty happy to find out later I was 3rd overall down the muddy chute.
Next we headed up the hill and down Little Red Riding Huck to get to the the 2nd stage which went down Hot Cross Buns and Bunny Jugs, I started out going pretty fast and got a bit too much air over one of the rollers at the top of the run, my back wheel came over my head and I belly flopped onto the ground, I wasted no time getting back on the bike and had to struggle breathing for a bit, luckily just bruising some ribs and getting some scrapes. From there I used the adrenaline to boost down the track as smooth as possible and make up for lost time.
We had a good group train down Be Rude Not To on the way to the next stage which started at the top of Corridor and went though a range of tracks from there including Eastern Spice, Turkish Delight, Soakhole, Exit Track, and Old Exit Track. This was easily the stage with the most pedalling. This was made up for though with some awesome jumps and berms most of the way down. I had my best run down here riding everything pretty well and staying clear of contact with the ground.
The day finished up with some scrumptious baking made by Kim McVicker, fosh and chups, and then prizegiving. This year there was an award for the fastest time down the Hotcross Buns stage to Honour Paddy Avery's skill on the bike and the fact that he smashed us all down there last year. Murray Avery (Paddy's dad) made an awesome trophy which I was lucky enough to take home.
I also took out the overall win by 15 secs which was good motivation for upcoming enduro racing in Europe.
Big thanks to everybody who helped organize the Triple Crown this year, it is one of my favorite races!
Also lately I have competed in the NDuro 24 (12hr team event) and the NZ Single Speed Champs for some fun and they were both awesome events with racing not the main focus.
At the moment I am in Germany preparing for the first XC World Cup round, and will be tripping around Europe to compete in all sorts of events (check my schedule). I flew over on Emirates again this year and am now a silver member which was awesome. When I got to Dubai I was able to chill in the Business Lounge with access to free food, wifi and showers. We arrived to good weather luckily and I didn't feel too jet lagged until bedtime which is the first time that has happened. I have ridden the world cup course and really enjoy it with some good climbs that allow for passing and some fun rocky descents.
That is all for now, will keep posting when the racing begins.
Cheers
The first stage started at Tihi O Tawa and finished at the end of Billy T, I was seeded first so was plowing into the puddles straight away. This stage was the most fun though with the main aim for me to stay on my bike and pedal when I could, it felt a bit slow but I was pretty happy to find out later I was 3rd overall down the muddy chute.
Next we headed up the hill and down Little Red Riding Huck to get to the the 2nd stage which went down Hot Cross Buns and Bunny Jugs, I started out going pretty fast and got a bit too much air over one of the rollers at the top of the run, my back wheel came over my head and I belly flopped onto the ground, I wasted no time getting back on the bike and had to struggle breathing for a bit, luckily just bruising some ribs and getting some scrapes. From there I used the adrenaline to boost down the track as smooth as possible and make up for lost time.
We had a good group train down Be Rude Not To on the way to the next stage which started at the top of Corridor and went though a range of tracks from there including Eastern Spice, Turkish Delight, Soakhole, Exit Track, and Old Exit Track. This was easily the stage with the most pedalling. This was made up for though with some awesome jumps and berms most of the way down. I had my best run down here riding everything pretty well and staying clear of contact with the ground.
The day finished up with some scrumptious baking made by Kim McVicker, fosh and chups, and then prizegiving. This year there was an award for the fastest time down the Hotcross Buns stage to Honour Paddy Avery's skill on the bike and the fact that he smashed us all down there last year. Murray Avery (Paddy's dad) made an awesome trophy which I was lucky enough to take home.
I also took out the overall win by 15 secs which was good motivation for upcoming enduro racing in Europe.
Big thanks to everybody who helped organize the Triple Crown this year, it is one of my favorite races!
Also lately I have competed in the NDuro 24 (12hr team event) and the NZ Single Speed Champs for some fun and they were both awesome events with racing not the main focus.
At the moment I am in Germany preparing for the first XC World Cup round, and will be tripping around Europe to compete in all sorts of events (check my schedule). I flew over on Emirates again this year and am now a silver member which was awesome. When I got to Dubai I was able to chill in the Business Lounge with access to free food, wifi and showers. We arrived to good weather luckily and I didn't feel too jet lagged until bedtime which is the first time that has happened. I have ridden the world cup course and really enjoy it with some good climbs that allow for passing and some fun rocky descents.
That is all for now, will keep posting when the racing begins.
Cheers
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