New Zealand champion Sammie Maxwell scored her second straight runner-up result to complete a powerful podium push from kiwi “girl power” at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Val di Sole, Italy.
Maxwell, 21, from Taupo made her move on the climbs to push into second, and closed on the lead before a slight slip on the final lap. The NZ MTB Academy rider composed herself with an impressive performance to finish 38s down on winner Heby Sofie Pedersen from Denmark in sweltering conditions.
It completed a superb weekend for young New Zealand female riders in the final UCI MTB World Cup before the World Championships in Scotland. It began with a one-two finish for Sacha Earnest and Erice van Leuven in the junior women downhill, followed a first podium for 20-year-old national champion Jess Blewitt in the elite women downhill. It was completed today with Maxwell’s second straight runner-up in the under-23 cross-country.
“That was really pleasing and important to back-up from the second place in Leogang,” said Maxwell.
The young kiwi led the way for New Zealand cross-country riders with Anton Cooper (Trek Factory) best of the New Zealand trio in the men’s elite race in 19th ahead of Ben Oliver and Sam Gaze where multi-world champion Nino Schurter produced a masterclass victory.
In the under-23 cross-country, the Team Talley’s riders Matthew Wilson and Ethan Rose finished mid-pack on the back of solid performances.
Maxwell has moved up to fourth overall in the under-23 women’s rankings and marks herself as a genuine contender as sights move to the world championships in Scotland, with the New Zealand team to be announced in the coming week.
“Today was not as steep as the climbs in Leogang, but still had some hard climbs. I took full advantage of the climbs which is my strength. I was really happy with my performance today,” said Maxwell.
“My plan is to move up to elite racing next season, so It is good to have two strong performances. I am more confident of my ability at this level and looking ahead to the future.
“I am up to fourth overall now, so I would like to continue in the world series. We had not planned on going to the USA for the rounds there, but if there’s a chance to finish in the top three then we would like to do that, and hopefully find some funding to help.
“Now it is about recovery and resetting for the world championships. No-one has been on the course so we don’t know what it will bring.”
Maxwell said it was pleasing to be part of an historic weekend of race results for young New Zealand female riders across the disciplines.
“It’s been an exciting weekend for kiwi mountain bike and us girls. I am based in Wellington now so I see Erice (van Leuven) at the same club as me, and awesome to see her racing so well. Sacha is a great girl and she was great and then Jess is smashing it in elite downhill.”
Gaze started fast in the elite men’s race, part of a four-strong front group but as superstar Nino Schurter turned up the heat on a sweltering day, the rest faded behind with the kiwi finishing mid-pack.
Best of the kiwis was again Anton Cooper, starting on the third row but quietly working his way through the field, and finishing with one of the fastest final laps to move up to a top-20 finish, 2:42 behind the flying Schurter.
Cooper is in 15th place on the world rankings ahead of Gaze in 21st and Ben Oliver 60th.
Auckland’s Matthew Wilson (Team Talley’s) was the best of the Kiwis in the under-23 men with super-consistent lap times to finish in 30th ahead of teammate Ethan Rose, and move to 20th on the overall rankings.
Results:
Cross-country, Under-23 Women: Heby Sofie Pedersen (DEN) 1:07.09, 1; Sammie Maxwell (NZ MTB Academy) at 38s, 2; Ronja Blochlinger (SUI) at 2:02, 3. Other NZers: Mia Cameron (Team Talley’s) at10:48, 38; Amelie Mackay (Team Talley’s) at 1lap, 46; Annabel Bligh (Team Talley’s) at 2 laps, 55.
Under-23 Men: Carter Woods (CAN) 1:08.57, 1; Adrien Boichis (FRA) at 31s, 2; Riley Amos (USA) at 45s, 3. NZers: Matthew Wilson (Team Talley’s, Auckland) at 4:15, 30; Ethan Rose (Team Talley’s, Christchurch) at 5:28, 45; Adam Francis (Palmerston North) at 9:49, 81; Jacob Turner (Team Talley’s, North Canterbury) at 11:05, 88; Caleb Bottcher (Palmerston North) at 12:27, 91; James Officer ((Team Talley’s, Taupo) at 1lap, 104; Bailey Fredericksen Whakatane) at 2 laps, 110.
Elite men: Nino Schurter (SUI) 1:20.22, 1; Mathias Fluckiger (SUI) at 26s, 2; Vlad Drascalu )ROU) at 38s, 3. Also Ners: Anton Cooper (Trek Factory) at 2:42, 19; Ben Oliver (MitoQ) at 6:42, 48; Sam Gaze (Alpecin Deceuninck) at 6:51, 52.
Elite female: Puck Pieterse (NED) 1:19.49, 1; Martina Berta (ITA) at 52s, 2; Rebecca Henderson (AUS) at 1.00, 3. Also NZer: Mary-Ann Moller at 3laps, 65.