Blenkinsop and Cole Podium at UCI MTB World Cup, Leogang, Austria

New Zealand Downhill athletes Sam Blenkinsop and Cameron Cole claimed 4th and 5th podium places at the third round of the UCI MTB World Cup in Austria yesterday. Both racers got their heads around the miserable practice and race conditions at Leogang, to post results that for the first time in New Zealand Mountainbike history saw two Kiwis sharing the podium at a Mountainbike World Cup.

Blenkinsop (Lapierre International, Wanganui) was the fastest qualifier on a slick race course made doubly challenging with very wet practice sessions, and had the honour of racing as last starter for the top 80 race run. Cole (Maxxis Rocky Mountain, Christchurch) backed up his stunning second place at the Fort William World Cup two weeks ago and this week achieved his desire to share the podium with another New Zealander. Fractions of a second separated 4th, 5th and 6th spots, but Blenkinsop and Cole demonstrated a level of race craft to match the wet, muddy conditions that has long been the domain of top European and British downhill athletes.

Justin Leov (Trek World Racing, Dunedin) recieved a welcome confidence boost to qualify strongly, and then race to an 8th spot: "I feel like I've got my confidence back, which has been down a bit these past couple of weeks. I rode really well but just faded a little at the end. The podium was super close but I'm happy to be back in the top ten and move up two spots in the overall".

Also featuring at Leogang were Matt Scoles (Cingolani-Proton, Alexandra) who claimed his highest World Cup finish at 14th, and George Brannigan (Ancillotti, Hawkes Bay) who won the Junior World Cup category and finished 25th overall.

In 2010 World Cup standings after three rounds, New Zealanders contunue to move into positions of prominence. Cole, Blenkinsop and Leov are 4th, 5th and 6th respectively, and on the back of his Leogang result Brannigan now claims the Junior World Cup leaders jersey.

The UCI MTB World Cup now has a one month break, before the 4th round at Champery, Switzerland on July 24/25.

Brief Results, Leogang
1 Greg Minaar (RSA) 4:05.65; 2 Gee Atherton (GBR) 4:06.39; 3 Aaron Gwin (USA) 4:10.09; 4 Sam Blenkinsop (NZL) 4:11.17; 5 Cameron Cole (NZL) 4:11.77; 8 Justin Leov (NZL) 4:12.93; 14 Matthew Scoles (NZL) 4:16.03; 25 George Brannigan (NZL) 4:20.00; 27 Brook MacDonald (NZL) 4:20.68; 34 Wyn Masters (NZL) 4:23.13; 45 Nathan Rankin (NZL) 4:25.49; 72 Aari Barrett (NZL) 4:42.41

Other NZers, from Qualifying
88 Jed Rooney (Oamaru); 114 Richard Leacock (Wellington); 118 Joseph Nation (Christchurch); 125 Daniel Sims (Christchurch); 126 Rupert Chapman (Christchurch); 136 David Balderstyone (Christchurch); 154 Sam Baker (Auckland); 159 Freddie King (Christchurch); 183 James Hoggan (Christchurch); 120 James Rennie (Christchurch)

Full Results, Leogang World Cup