MTB champs come to town
The Wither Hills came alive late last week with cries of encouragement and whirring tyres as the Top of the South year seven and eight mountain bike championship were contested.
The event, which is usually staged in Nelson, was co-hosted by Renwick School and the Marlborough MTB Club. From now on it will alternate between Marlborough and Nelson. Seventy-six participants, hailing from Kaikōura, Marlborough, Nelson and Tasman, showed their skills at both cross country [XC] and enduro, held on Thursday and Friday respectively. The enduro section involved riders tackling four different testing downhill courses, with their combined times deciding the winners.
Five Marlborough riders earned podium positions, including the outstanding Kobie Madsen from Bohally who won both the boys’ year 8 XC and enduro titles.
Renwick’s Oliver Brown won the boys year 7 XC, Tuamarina’s Lucas Abbot took out the boys’ year 7 enduro, Bohally’s Margot Davis earning a second place in the girls’ year 8 XC and a third in the enduro while Poppy Stocker from Bohally picked up second spot in the girls’ year 7 XC and third in the year 8 enduro.
Among the visiting riders, Nelson Intermediate rider Sophie Vincent emulated Madsen’s efforts, claiming a clean sweep in the girls’ year 8 XC and enduro.
Fraser Brown from the Marlborough MTB club said the club and mountain biking community were thrilled to once again host a schools MTB championship in Marlborough. “These young riders give it their absolute all, showing a huge amount of heart and determination. They should all be very proud of their efforts. “But it’s not all about racing, seeing the social interaction between the riders from the differing schools over the two days was neat.
“These are friendships that will continue as riders meet up at future MTB events.
“Many of these young riders will now be preparing for the Cycling Schools Nationals Championships in Christchurch in October, we wish them all the best.”