Low Key Super D, National Mountain Bike Championship, Crankworx, and EWS Photo Journal
Many top international riders arrived in Rotorua well in advance of events to sink their tyres into the local soil. Others arrived early to mingle with locals and sample the riding scene from more of a general perspective. This is Sam Dale keeping it real at the Low Key Super D Box of Birds, Whakarewarewa Forest, 6:18pm, March 15. PC Cam Mackenzie
Hyperformance Hardware staff member Cam Cole races the darkness and rain drops down the Low-Key Super D race track. Box of Birds, Whakarewarewa Forest, 6:38pm, March 15. PC Cam Mackenzie
Post-race attractions of the Low Key Super D event were lukewarm cans of Double Brown beer for those over 18 and a Santa Cruz Chameleon frame give away. Does this cobranding suggest that mountain bikers have their values in the right place, or should we rethink our marketing strategies? Rotorua Trails Trust, Whakarewarewa Forest, 7:47pm, March 15. PC Cam Mackenzie
A rare sighting of Finn Hawkesby-Brown working on his bike (usually taken care of by his father Malcs) due to Finn leaving his shoes at the event accommodation and Malcs going back to get them before the first practice runs. Whakarewarewa Forest, 9:25am, March 16. PC Cam Mackenzie
The Hyperformance Young Gunz Finn HB and Tuhoto Ariki-Pene primed for Downhill with stand in life coach for the weekend Cam Cole. Taniwha National DH, Whakarewarewa Forest, 9:40am, March 16. PC Cam Mackenzie
Tuhoto was chasing a second national downhill title in the junior men’s division. With the advantage of racing on home soil the kid was pushing hard to improve his finals day mental approach and race run pace. Unfortunately for him he hit the ground which is all part of the downhill game and pushing your limits. Taniwha National DH, Whakarewarewa Forest, 12:15pm, March 16. PC Cam Mackenzie
Straight outta Palmy North and in his signature black on black race kit Caleb Bottcher beasted his way to a 3rd place finish in the highly competitive under 19 men’s category. Choosing to race on the Blur he demonstrates his ever-improving bike skill, endurance and strength. Boulder Dash, Whakarewarewa Forset, 1:52pm, March 16. PC Cam Mackenzie
Jess Manchester made a return to competitive XCO racing this season after flying under the radar for a year. Jess admitted that she had plenty of room for improvement over the season at the first national level event of the season back in January. She showed that improvement by chalking up another national women’s title – this time in the U23 women’s category. Rock Drop Climb, Whakarewarewa Forest, 2:46pm, March 16. PC Cam Mackenzie
Finn HB on his last practice run before seeding and finals. Finn had a few issues during practice and said he didn’t feel that confident about the race. He turned things around in a big way before finals and pulled up in 2nd place in the junior men’s category as a first-year junior. Taniwha National DH Whakarewarewa Forest, 9:20am, March 17. PC Cam Mackenzie
Kieran Bennett made a solid showing in the EWS race after battling through some mid-season disappointments and injuries through February and early March. Kieran was looking for a good time out on the bike at the event. You would struggle to find a better combination than Kieran’s style and off camber trail. Tumeke, EWS Practice Whakarewarewa Forest, 12:58pm, March 22. PC Sven Martin
Brady has been on a mission during March. Though his relaxed approach to life and racing is a clever mask he wears until the goggles go over his helmet. Te Mounga, EWS Practice Whakarewarewa Forest, 2:14pm, March 22. PC Sven Martin
Brook Macdonald wasn’t the only bull dog in Rotorua during Crankworks week. Riding IBIS bikes, our very own Loui Harvey and his aggressive cornering style made short work of the frequently talked about Rotorua dirt. Skyline Rotorua, EWS Practice, 2:13pm, March 23. PC Cam Mackenzie
Brady Stone Kills it (again). This guy is on a tear and we can wait to see what unfolds for him this year. Crankworx event village and expo site, Skyline Rotorua, 6:17pm, March 24. PC Sven Martin