j_young_80
25-03-2010, 02:12 PM
stralia has collected four gold medals at the Oceania Championships in New Zealand over the weekend, with Daniel McConnell (elite men cross country), Paul Van Der Ploeg (under 23 men cross country), Rebecca Henderson (under 23 cross country) and Sarsha Huntington (4X) all conquering in Dunedin.
Cross Country
In the men’s elite cross country, national champion Daniel McConnell and fellow Victorian Lachlan Norris claimed the clear air at the front of the race to work together on extending a healthy lead during the six-lap race.
The race came down to an exciting sprint finish between the pair, McConnell claiming the honours in 2:02:29 after passing Norris on the inside around the final corner.
In the fight for third, it was the chasing group of Paul van der Ploeg, Andrew Blair and Adrian Jackson who provided an effective Australian block on the rest of the field.
However, Kiwi rider Mike Northcott worked steadily away at the strong Australian presence to finally break free at the end of the fifth lap into third position, which he held to the line.
Van der Ploeg was the highest placed finisher in the under 23 category, finishing fourth overall and nearly five minutes behind McConnell.
The women’s race featured a quality field and a tantalising trans-Tasman showdown between New Zealand’s Nic Leary and Australia’s Rowena Fry.
Leary attacked for the lead on the first pinch climb in what was a decisive tactical move, and maintained her lead for the rest of the four lap race, despite Fry's best efforts to reel her in.
Canberra’s Heather Logie rolled in one minute thirty behind the leader in fourth position, followed by Rebecca Henderson who picked up the under 23 Oceania title.
Four Cross
In the women’s four cross final, three New Zealand riders Sarah Atkin, Madeline Taylor and Kaytee Campbell were out to keep Queensland’s Sarsha Huntington honest.
At the front of the field, Huntington established a solid lead from the start, opening up a large gap to comfortably claim the Oceania four cross title. Atkin went down in turn two, however recovered and gave chase, reeling her fellow kiwi riders in to sneak through in second place.
A large crowd flanking the course was treated to a fine display of aggressive and cunning riding in the men’s final, which was contested by four New Zealand riders - current four cross national champion Matt Walker, Wyn Masters, Kieran Bennett and Daniel Franks.
Franks got the snap out of the gate to lead through the first two turns, with Masters right on his tail while Walker and Bennett were elbow to elbow right behind. In turn three Franks left a very slight inside line open, and Masters passed to take the lead which he wasn't to relinquish.
Graeme Mudd was the best placed of the Aussies in seventh place.
Downhill
In the men’s elite downhill race, NZ's best riders were all on hand competing for the Oceania title along with a strong Australian presence led by Queensland's Rhys Willemse.
Cameron Cole of Christchurch had qualified fastest, but any one of the well regarded field were capable of putting down the perfect run to take the podium top step.
NZ's highest ranked rider Justin Leov had qualified in the top ten, but a front puncture in the Signal rock garden ended his much anticipated challenge.
First Glenn Haden, then Kieran Bennett held the leader’s hot seat for a long spell, until the last three riders on course displaced Bennett and then each other with quicker race times.
None of the final three were given the chance to settle in that leader's seat however, as the last starter on the hill, Cameron Cole turned out a stunning race time of 2:39.15 to take the Oceania Championship title.
Willemse was the highest placed Australian with the sixth fastest run of 2:47.17.
In the women’s downhill, New Zealand’s national champion Harriet Harper had mechanical issues during qualifying and as a result was first woman off the start line. Harper posted a stunning time of 3:07.36 to secure the leader's hot seat, which she never relinquished as rider after rider crossed the line.
Sarsha Huntington provided the best of the Australian challenge with a 3:28.14 for third place.
The Under 19 Oceania title race was taken out by George Brannigan of New Zealand who raced cleanly to win by nearly three seconds from Jed Rooney. Adelaide young gun Troy Brosnan placed third, just three seconds behind Brannigan.
Michelle Cook
Media and PR Manager
Jump Media and Marketing
T: 03 9500 0122 | F: 03 9500 0322 | M: 0430 177 668
Cross Country
In the men’s elite cross country, national champion Daniel McConnell and fellow Victorian Lachlan Norris claimed the clear air at the front of the race to work together on extending a healthy lead during the six-lap race.
The race came down to an exciting sprint finish between the pair, McConnell claiming the honours in 2:02:29 after passing Norris on the inside around the final corner.
In the fight for third, it was the chasing group of Paul van der Ploeg, Andrew Blair and Adrian Jackson who provided an effective Australian block on the rest of the field.
However, Kiwi rider Mike Northcott worked steadily away at the strong Australian presence to finally break free at the end of the fifth lap into third position, which he held to the line.
Van der Ploeg was the highest placed finisher in the under 23 category, finishing fourth overall and nearly five minutes behind McConnell.
The women’s race featured a quality field and a tantalising trans-Tasman showdown between New Zealand’s Nic Leary and Australia’s Rowena Fry.
Leary attacked for the lead on the first pinch climb in what was a decisive tactical move, and maintained her lead for the rest of the four lap race, despite Fry's best efforts to reel her in.
Canberra’s Heather Logie rolled in one minute thirty behind the leader in fourth position, followed by Rebecca Henderson who picked up the under 23 Oceania title.
Four Cross
In the women’s four cross final, three New Zealand riders Sarah Atkin, Madeline Taylor and Kaytee Campbell were out to keep Queensland’s Sarsha Huntington honest.
At the front of the field, Huntington established a solid lead from the start, opening up a large gap to comfortably claim the Oceania four cross title. Atkin went down in turn two, however recovered and gave chase, reeling her fellow kiwi riders in to sneak through in second place.
A large crowd flanking the course was treated to a fine display of aggressive and cunning riding in the men’s final, which was contested by four New Zealand riders - current four cross national champion Matt Walker, Wyn Masters, Kieran Bennett and Daniel Franks.
Franks got the snap out of the gate to lead through the first two turns, with Masters right on his tail while Walker and Bennett were elbow to elbow right behind. In turn three Franks left a very slight inside line open, and Masters passed to take the lead which he wasn't to relinquish.
Graeme Mudd was the best placed of the Aussies in seventh place.
Downhill
In the men’s elite downhill race, NZ's best riders were all on hand competing for the Oceania title along with a strong Australian presence led by Queensland's Rhys Willemse.
Cameron Cole of Christchurch had qualified fastest, but any one of the well regarded field were capable of putting down the perfect run to take the podium top step.
NZ's highest ranked rider Justin Leov had qualified in the top ten, but a front puncture in the Signal rock garden ended his much anticipated challenge.
First Glenn Haden, then Kieran Bennett held the leader’s hot seat for a long spell, until the last three riders on course displaced Bennett and then each other with quicker race times.
None of the final three were given the chance to settle in that leader's seat however, as the last starter on the hill, Cameron Cole turned out a stunning race time of 2:39.15 to take the Oceania Championship title.
Willemse was the highest placed Australian with the sixth fastest run of 2:47.17.
In the women’s downhill, New Zealand’s national champion Harriet Harper had mechanical issues during qualifying and as a result was first woman off the start line. Harper posted a stunning time of 3:07.36 to secure the leader's hot seat, which she never relinquished as rider after rider crossed the line.
Sarsha Huntington provided the best of the Australian challenge with a 3:28.14 for third place.
The Under 19 Oceania title race was taken out by George Brannigan of New Zealand who raced cleanly to win by nearly three seconds from Jed Rooney. Adelaide young gun Troy Brosnan placed third, just three seconds behind Brannigan.
Michelle Cook
Media and PR Manager
Jump Media and Marketing
T: 03 9500 0122 | F: 03 9500 0322 | M: 0430 177 668