Mountain biking: Leaders tighten grip on series

Mangakino's Michael Northcott and Rosara Joseph of Wellington again dominated the men's and women's national mountainbike cross-country series after winning round three in Nelson yesterday.

Both completed hat-tricks after winning the opening rounds in Christchurch and Dunedin.

Northcott had to work hard yet again yesterday to repel a strong challenge from Marcus Roy of Te Anau by 22s.

Northcott edged ahead of Roy, gaining two, seven, 13 and three seconds on the first four of the six 7.5km laps.

Roy clawed back six seconds on the fifth before Northcott rode away again on the uphill section on the sixth to win in 1h 52m 9s.

Blenheim's Aaron Tuckerman was third in 1h 54m 41s.

Defending champion Stu Houltham of Taupo was fourth in 1h 57m 5s.

Unlike the men's race, the women's was one-sided as Joseph continued her dominance, winning the five-lap race in 1h 51m 33s.

It was another remarkable result for Joseph, who is in her first season of pro-elites.

However, Joseph said she was pleased to negotiate the tortuous downhill section on the infamous Dead Dog trail without incident.

"I was pleased to get through it in one piece.

"I had a bit of a crash on it during practice [on Saturday] so it was very satisfying today."

Carissa Wilkes of Rotorua finished second in 1h 54m 58s. Xterra specialist Sonia Foote of Rotorua was third in 1h 55m 52s.

- NZPA