With the NZ national DH series just around the corner, our roving foreign correspondent Cam Cole caught up with the Hyperformance Hardware DH guys to see what they got up to in 2020 and what their plans are for 2021. First up is Christchurch pinner Finn Hawkesby-Browne.

Finn has strung together a number of mature race runs across a variety of racing locations and conditions in the lead up to the 2021 New Zealand National DH series. Having been forced to relocate back to New Zealand from Portugal mid-way through his final preparations for the first round of the 2020 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup.

Without being able to show his full potential on the international circuit in 2020 Finns transition into the elite category has been a challenging one. One he has clearly applied his determination and passion to chase the ultimate feeling in world downhill racing by conquering the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup.

Cam Cole: This year has challenged athletes around the world on a number of levels. Perhaps more so for New Zealand athletes since you are some distance from the bulk of the international racing. How have you managed these challenges this year?

Finn Haweksby-Browne: Yeah, it’s been a real challenge. I’ve just focused on staying positive and making the most of my “Plan B”.

Cam: What are your views on being unable to attend the 2020 international season?

Finn: I had really been looking forward to building and improving on my 2019 international season, so it was disappointing that I didn’t get the chance to do that. We actually had a pretty good plan in place for 2020, going over for the first world cup round in Portugal before having to return to NZ because of Covid. It was really stressful not knowing if races were going ahead or not, and not knowing how much notice we would get if we needed to try and get to a race. In the end Cycling NZ helped make the decision by announcing that they would not select any juniors in the team for World Champs. After that it seemed to make sense to stay put in NZ.

Cam: What have been the main positives and negatives have you noticed from having to negotiate these times as an athlete?

Finn: One of the main positives is that since I had shoulder surgery just before the 2019/2020 NZ season, I’ve now had plenty of time to fully recover before getting back into racing. My first few races of the NZ 2020/2021 season have gone pretty well. The main negative is obviously missing out on my only opportunity to do well as a junior internationally. Since I turn 19 later in 2021 I’m now competing in the Elite men’s category.

Cam: This coming international season 2021 are important season in the context of your development as a racer. How has this influenced your thinking and approach to your transition into the elite category?

Finn: Well, since it’s my first year in Elite the pressure is off a little bit. My thinking is just to stay positive and keep improving while adjusting to racing against the faster, older guys. I really have no idea if 2021 will be any easier for international travel & racing than 2020 was. I’m really keen for more racing overseas but at this stage it’s not obvious how I can go about that. If anyone has some ideas around that I’d be keen to hear them! Since 2021 is my first year in Elite I had thought that racing some IXS European Cup races would be a good idea, rather than purely focusing on World Cups. It’s a good way of getting good quality race experience and time on the bigger tracks. This is compared to World Cups where if you don’t qualify in the top 60 to make the final you don’t really get to do much riding! I also want to build up my speed progressively with more of a long term goal.

Cam: The V10 29er was all new at the end of 2018 and New Zealand had their first delivery of them prior to the 2019 NZ National series. Since then, the bike has proven that it is very capable under a variety of rider styles. Since you first got on the V10 29 what aspects do you think contribute most to the performance of the bike?

Finn: I’ve been on the V10 29 for a couple of seasons now. I felt good on it straight away, after changing from the 27.5 model. The bike is actually so good that I don’t even need to think about it. I can just focus on the riding. Maintenance is just the wheels, drivetrain and suspension; the frame and linkages are always good.

Cam: Have you made any major set up changes to your bike for this coming season compared to last season?

Finn: I’ve gone from a large frame to an extra-large with a reach adjust headset going back 7mm, and have also gone to a firmer suspension set up.

Cam: What other types of riding have you been enjoying so far this season?

Finn: I do a lot of trail riding, dirt jumping, freestyle BMX / skatepark and heaps of digging.

Cam: How is your preparation going for the 2021 New Zealand national series? What have you changed in your prep this year compared to pre-season last year?

Finn: The preparation is going really well. So far my results in Elite are better than I had expected, with a couple of good race wins. In previous years I have done quite a bit of Enduro racing, but this year I’ve decided to focus on DH only. So far that’s working out well. The main change in my prep is that I’ve moved from home in Christchurch to live in Queenstown. Living with my parents was great but leaving home is a really good learning experience for me. Also a lot of fun!

Cam: What specific part of your fitness, mental ability or technical skill set have you been working on in the lead up and in the first part of the New Zealand season?

Finn: Being in Queenstown has been really good for my training. I work at the Skyline bike park with a great crew. I’ve known Jimmy Ramsey (who runs bike crew) since I was a kid going on camping holidays in Queenstown and he helped sort me out with the job. I spend half the day doing trail work and half the day loading bikes on the gondola, then do a ride up Ben Lomond, Fernhill or Queenstown Hill. On my days off I do some bike park laps, gym work and longer rides.

Cam: What races in the New Zealand national series are you most looking forward to?

Finn: This year is the first time I’ve ever been able to race National Champs at home in Christchurch, so I’m really excited about that. The other South Island rounds at Jentree and Cornet Peak are also on great tracks so should be a lot of fun.

Cam: Looking beyond the 2021 New Zealand national series, how are your plans shaping up for the 2021 international season?

Finn: It’s a bit hard to plan for to be honest. I am working and saving money so that I can travel to races if it’s possible. I’ll just have to wait and see what the opportunities are. I am keeping positive and enjoying my riding.

Keep up with Finn and his 2021 journey here

Finn Hawkesby-Browne - 2020 Challenges and 2021 goals

Amanda Pearce