NZ MTB Cup Rd 1, Christchurch.

So with new years and 09 in the books my 2010 season kicked off with the first round of the Nz national series, living springs Christchurch. Having just built up my fresh new tomac primer 220 I chucked my gear in the van and headed north to Christchurch. Arriving on Thursday afternoon I headed up the hill keen to check out the much-anticipated living springs track. I had already seen the course prior to the event but it was only half built so didn’t really no what to expect. Straight off the start line she was full on weaving right down the guts of a steep valley covered in rocks roots and native trees then opening up into some pinned grassy ski style turns. Was a mission just to walk down the top section but I couldn’t wait for practice the next day.


Top of the old track

I arrived at the hill nice and early the next day for first practice, After catching up with a few old mates I hadn’t seen in an age it was time to load the vans up and head up there. First run down had my eyes wide that was for sure! If you got off the brakes for any more than a moment you where getting wild and out of control haha. It was scary stuff but I was loving it nonetheless. Unfortunately by lunchtime the course had claimed half a dozen riders and was just too difficult for the majority to get down, Riders being stopped and banking up at every marshal point because ahead someone had gone down in a heap. The event organizers stepped in at this stage and came to an agreement that the track had to be changed, it was disappointing to hear but understandable under the circumstances. After lunch they had quickly taped out an alternative track that traversed across the hill and joined up with the lower open grassy section of the old track. It was not the best racetrack as the traverse made for some gut busting slightly uphill pedal sections and only one main line, but still pretty fun to ride. After a few runs I had the new top half dialed and was feeling fit for the race.





Race morning I got out to the hill pretty early again after getting pumped watching some downhill DVDs and charging some strong brews of coffee. After a couple runs and a race briefing it was time to get into it with seeding runs, I got up the hill way too early and ended up sitting around for 45 min waiting for my run, I guess better to be early than late. Anyway the plan was to save my legs for the race run so I didn’t go all out but still put down an alright run with only a couple of mistakes, I went into 2nd place in a time of 4.04.39 only a couple seconds behind Daniel franks. I felt confident for the final as I estimated I could take 10sec of my seeding time. Before I knew it lunch had passed and I was up at the top warming up for my run, going over my run in my head I was ready to get it done. I put down a solid run and pedaled hard taking 9 sec off my seeding going into first place on a 3.55.77. With only Dan franks to go. He came down on a 3.56.80 so I took the win and was really stoked. After that saw a stacked pro men’s division with plenty of internationally ranked riders racing it made for some tight times, Blenky took it out With Justin leov and Cameron cole in 2nd and 3rd. Turns out my time would have held out for a 10th place in pro men which was an added bonus.



All and all considering the chaos on practice day with carnage and track changes it was a good weekend with some great racing and top-notch weather. Not to mention some wild d1 action at the go carts after the race! Also My new tomac was rad and I was really happy with the way I handled my race. My result has given me plenty of confidence for the rest of the series. Looking forward to round 2 next weekend in Dunedin. I would like to thank all the boys from the gravity Canterbury crew I hope in the future we can race the awesome track they have built so all the hard work they put in building the course wasn’t for nothing. Also I would like to thank my sponsor’s tomac bikes and all the people who have me helped me out.

Cheers,
Jed Rooney