MTB crew out and about

PETER JONES

Marlborough’s mountain biking fraternity have kept busy since the start of the new year, racing in a succession of prestigious events with notable success.

The Mountain Bike New Zealand National Series was staged in January and February, the Tasman championships were raced on February 22, while the National Mountain Biking Championships were held recently in Queenstown.

Four Marlburians contested the MTBNZ national series, racing at various venues. Competing in cross country, Maddy Sinclair finished second under-19 woman overall in the series, registering third place in Oamaru then seconds in both Christchurch and

Pirongia. Finn McKenzie picked up a third in Oamaru, as did both Lachlan McNabb and Alana McLuckie in Christchurch.

In the downhill discipline, Nate Washer came third under-19 rider overall in the series, picking up seventh place in Cardrona, second in Christchurch and a second in Rotorua. Maddy was fourth under-19 woman overall in the series with a third in Christchurch, second in Nelson and fifth in Rotorua.

At the Tasman school champs, Maddy was first overall senior girls’ rider in both cross country and enduro, Katie Pugh came fifth overall junior girls with a seventh in the Enduro and fourth in cross country while Elijah O’Donnell was second overall in the under-16 boys section - 15th efforts.

In the cross country, Alana finished third in the Masters 3 women’s grade, Neve McKenzie was placed fourth in the under-17 girls, Lachlan was also fourth, in the under-19 men’s division with 16-year-old Finn 12th in the same race. Nate finished eighth in the under-19 men’s downhill. Also in action at the Tasman schools champs was upcoming rider Alex Craig, named MBC