Locals lead the way downhill

Local-based riders Sam Gale and Louise Kelly led the charge down Fringed Hill last week as they topped the elite podiums full of experienced riders from around the country.

The pair used their local knowledge to perfection to come out on top of the third stop of the Mountain Bike New Zealand National Downhill Series presented by Santa Cruz.

Racing on Sunday in the wet, the pair say it was tricky conditions to get good times in as the track constantly changed with the number of riders descending down the same trail.

Sam says he would never normally ride in those conditions but managed to still find the winning lines as the only rider to break the five-minute barrier with a 4:59.94 time.

"I just wanted to stay smooth and fast the whole way. It was easy to make mistakes."

Louise says she's never ridden the trail in conditions like Sunday, with the track experiencing everything from dry patches to sodden mud and slippery rocks.

"Normally, if you ride in the rain, it stays pretty consistent, but that number of people going down it dragged the dirt down.

"Towards the end of the race run, it was just who can stay on their bike."

Sam, who finished the 2020 New Zealand National series in second, says he relied on his experience to come out on the top step of the podium.

Having raced twice in Red Bull Hardline, often touted as one of the world's most difficult and challenging top-to-bottom races, he was confident in his ability to put together a complete run down one of his home tracks.

"It helps you save time. You're not stressed out because you've done way worse."

He believes he made up the most time through the middle section, being pushed on by his supportive friends and family cheering him along.

"You kind of hear them. I'm normally so focused when I'm riding, but when they're so loud you do hear them it gets you hyped.

"I wanted to win. I want to win them all, but this one is different."

Sam has been riding bikes for as long as he can remember, starting racing when he was 14 years old.

At 21, he's raced in national-level events for the last six years and was on track for a monster 2021 season before Covid-19 stepped in the way.

While he only rides downhill, he says he wants to get into enduro, which sees competitors also have to do the climbs on their bike while meeting time controls, this year because it's "more bike riding and more racing".

By contrast, Louise got into the sport less than five years ago, with her first race in 2018.

"I come from a judo background. I did some biking for fitness and now that's all I do."

She says judo did give her an upper hand in progression on the bike, particularly knowing how to take a fall more safely.

Having traditionally raced enduro, competing overseas as a privateer (someone who sponsors their own way to competitions), Louise says it's been a big confidence boost to get onto the top step of the podium before she travels again to compete this year.

"I was on a new bike and stuff, so it's good to know it still goes fast."