New world champion Erice van Leuven carried on her winning ways with victory in latest round of the UCI MTB World Series in Andorra.
The Commencal Orres professional was second fastest in qualifying but dominated the final at the fourth round of the junior women’s downhill in 3:21.04, to be over five seconds faster than top qualifier, Colombia’s Valentina Roa Sanchez.
It was the Hutt Valley rider’s first competition since the triumph at the world championships in Scotland, dominating the final, fastest through all time checks on the run down the 1.6km course. The win has moved her to third overall in the World Series, having missed one round with injury.
Fellow New Zealander Poppy Lane, the world championship silver medallist, finished seventh.
The Alliance team rider Luke Wayman was the sole kiwi in the junior men’s race, finishing 10th, with American Ryan Pinkerton winning.
National champion Toby Meek was the best of the kiwis in qualifying for the elite men’s downhill in 28th, with fellow kiwis George Brannigan, Ed Masters and Tuhoto-Ariki Pene also qualifying for tomorrow’s semifinals.
Kalani Muirhead has qualified for the elite women’s semifinals after finishing 14th in qualifying with former junior world champion Jenna Hastings missing out by one spot.
Meanwhile Trek Factory professional Anton Cooper finished 24th in the elite men’s cross-country short track race, which means he will start on the third row for the main race on Monday (NZ time).
Luca Schwarzbauer (GER) won the men’s short track from Nino Schurter (SUI) in a sprint finish while Alessandra Keller (SUI) won the elite women’s short track from Evie Richards (GBR).
Tomorrow is the elite downhill with the elite cross-country on Monday (NZ time).