Mountain Biking: Blenkinsop leads Kiwi charge

Wanganui's Sam Blenkinsop flew down the mountain overnight (NZT) to lead the kiwi downhill riders in qualifying for tomorrow's third round of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Scotland.

Blenkinsop, who broke his leg in January, continued his strong return to the sport to finish fifth fastest in qualifying at Fort William in the Scottish Highlands.

The Lapierre International team professional blasted down the 2.8km course in 4:45.655 to be three seconds behind top qualifier Marc Beaumont (GBR) today.

The 23-year-old Blenkinsop led home Lapierre International teammate Cameron Cole (Christchurch) who was ninth ahead of a compatriots Brook Macdonald (MS Mondraker) 10th, George Brannigan (DeVinci Gobal) 11th and Justin Leov (Trek World Racing) 13th in another super-strong performance from the kiwis.

Unfortunately, other New Zealanders Bryn Dickerson, Richard leacock, Jamie Lyall, Edward masters and Reece Potter did not make it into the top 80 from 175 starters to qualify for tomorrow's racing, as did Wellington's Sarah Atkin in the women's qualifying.

Results:

Men: Marc Beaumont (GBR) 4:42.440, 1; Gee Atherton (GBR) 4:43.480, 2; Danny Hart (GBR) 4:44.098, 3. Also New Zealanders: Qualifiers: Sam Blenkinsop (NZL, Lapierre International) 4:45.655, 5; Cameron Cole (Lapierre International) 4:48.344, 9; Brook Macdonald (MS Mondraker) 4:48.585, 10; George Brannigan (DeVinci Global) 4:48.779, 11; Justin Leov (Trek World Racing) 4:49.149, 13. Did not qualify: Bryn Dickerson 5:08.425, 99; Richard Leacock 5:15.587, 126; Jamie Lyall 5:21.864, 138; Edward Masters 5:47.131, 1152; Reece Potter dnf.

Elite women: Rachel Atherton (GBR) 5:15.146, 1; Myriam Nicole (FRA) 5:25.106, 2; Floriane Pugin (FRA) 5:26.745, 3. Also: Sarah Atkin (NZL) 6:10.139, 26.