After two solid international seasons in the junior category across 2018 and 2019 Tuhoto-Ariki Pene reflects on what was a relatively slow year in 2020. After chalking up a victory in the Junior category of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup on the brutal Val di Sole course and a 3rd place medal at the Mount Saint Anne World Mountain Bike Championships Tuhoto was looking to carry that momentum into 2020.
With big plans and a place on the Lusty / Hyperformance Racing World Cup team put on hold he has not been one to dwell on the so-called missed opportunity. In fact, he has used this time at home in New Zealand to continue his development as an athlete while keeping his program fun by mixing up his fitness regime. In 2021, he is looking to pick the pace through the New Zealand national series and carry that through to his first year as an Elite rider on the international stage.
Photo: Sven Martin
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?
Tuhoto-Ariki Pene: Honestly, I haven't seen it as much of a bad thing. Even though it was my first year of elite racing and I would have loved to be overseas racing, it has given me that one extra year to only get stronger and to train more.
Cam: What are your views on being unable to attend the 2020 international season?
Tuhoto-Ariki: I don't think I missed out on too much. I’m gutted I didn't get to race of course but I’m also happy that I got to have a good time at home. Some bros told me it wasn't the same racing with no fans at the races anyway.
Cam: What have been the main positives and negatives have you noticed from having to negotiate these times as an athlete?
Tuhoto-Ariki: On the negative side, I definitely lost out on a few major opportunities that I could have captured earlier in the year. I had some good momentum rolling after national series and Crankworx, Rotorua but oh well, we have to kick it into gear again and keep on going. But on the positive side being home for a winter has been a blast. I’ve stoked to be able to take that extra bit to train. Honestly, I can't wait to get all the racing going again.
Photo: Sven Martin
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?
Tuhoto-Ariki: Well yeah, I had to change my thinking a lot. But all I want to do is show that I can challenge the elite guys both at home and overseas and do myself proud.
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?
Tuhoto-Ariki: First of all, the bike has served me more than good. The V10 with the 29 wheels definitely feels fast and it rolls so well over the big bumps. It can take the hits into bigger holes easier than the 27.5 too but the best thing is that I look mean riding that bike haha.
Cam: Have you made any major set up changes to your bike for this coming season compared to last season?
Tuhoto-Ariki: Yeah, I got to custom build most of my bike. I had lots of help through Santacruz, SRAM / Rock Shox, Deity, Wideopen, Cush Core, Bike Culture, Mountain bike Rotorua, Marleens and Maxxis Bike. Sven Martin who got lots of SRAM stuff for both my bikes. So pretty much pretty much a full set up change for this season which is serving me mean as.
Cam: What other types of riding have you been enjoying so far this season?
Tuhoto-Ariki: Definitely the BMX bike. I was a BMX racer before DH and it's a blast to be flowing on the track again.
Photo: Cameron Mackenzie
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?
Tuhoto-Ariki: I've been a lot more calm but definitely more hungry and also excited. But I have been doing heaps of gym and getting on the bike more and more before I get to the races.
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?
Tuhoto-Ariki: I've been working a lot more on strength as I’ve always been a little skinny chump. I want to keep getting stronger as that held me back a bit least last year. So a lot more gym, and I’m also back playing hockey which has been solid for my breathing.
Cam: What races in the New Zealand national series are you most looking forward to?
Tuhoto-Ariki: I'm keen to be down south riding again. It’s always the best being down south with the rocks, big jumps, and steep tracks.
Photo: Cameron Mackenzie
Cam: Looking beyond the 2021 New Zealand national series, how are your plans shaping up for the 2021 international season?
Tuhoto-Ariki: Yes, I'm keen to go overseas if it does go ahead this time. But my main plans are still in the early stages at the moment and we will see how we go. But definitely looking to head over to seas to send it hard again and continue on this ride of mine.
Follow Tuhoto-Ariki and his 2021 adventure here