Leov on the Pace at US Pro GRT, Port Angeles, Washington

Justin Leov (Dunedin, Trek World Racing) kicked on from his strong Sea Otter result in the US last weekend to almost snatch a win at the first round of the new US Pro GRT national downhill series. At the Washington venue of Port Angeles, a World Cup class field assembled to race on the slick, narrow and generally very fast downhill course, in what will be an ideal lead-in to the first UCI MTB World Cup in Maribor, Slovenia in two weeks time.

Leov qualified in 8th position, and improved during his race run by more than five seconds to take 2nd spot behind top qualifier Bryn Atkinson (USA). Leov was very happy with his result - "It was super tight racing today and with a quality field, so I'm glad to have ridden well and more importantly to have got some quality time on the bike before the World Cups start".

Luke Strobel, who spent his off season training and racing in New Zealand at the 2010 NZ MTB Cup, maintained good form in his home state to claim 3rd.

Brief Results:
1 Bryn Atkinson (USA) 02:34.39; 2 Justin Leov (NZ) 02:35.20; 3 Luke Strobel (USA) 02:36.48; 4 Andrew Neethling (South Africa) 02:36.71; 5 Dan Atherton (Great Britain) 02:36.93.

Full Results