Whakatane's Karen Hanlen raced to a stunning eighth at the first round of this year's UCI Mountainbike World Cup in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
In a world-class field of competitors, containing every Olympic nations' elite cross country athletes at the weekend, Hanlen put herself in a position to not only challenge for the race lead, but to claim a result that will allow her to build on what has been a tremendous summer for the rider.
After winning every national level event in New Zealand this summer, as well as the Oceania Championship title, Hanlen travelled to South Africa in great form.
Hanlen's aggressive start rocketed her into contention at the front of the field, and after the second lap and some settling on a technical race course she solidified a position behind the lead group in eighth, which she protected and held through to the end of the five-lap race. Hanlen had been targeting a breakthrough into the top 12 at this World Cup, and was delighted to finish inside the top 10 and only 2m 17s behind the winner, Maja Wloszczowska from Poland. Meanwhile, Wellington's Rosara Joseph worked steadily away after a slower start, and finished 11th and 3m 05s down on the winner.
Hanlen returns to Whakatane on Wednesday to continue preparations for the next Mountainbike World Cup event at Houffalize, Belgium on April 14.
