Here I was down in Blenheim to film Justin Leov and farmer brown (Pete cooper) for Pusher 2 and NZRIDE. The first impressions you get about Justin is his passion for the sport of DH and his new found professionalism that he has with his factory ride from Yeti cycles and Fox Shocks. Speaking with Justin you realise that he wants the best for the development of DH in NZ and is keen to hand down any information to get the juniors to further their goals to some day turn pro as well. With Justin only a week away from having surgery, he also decided to do a local club race this weekend, the first he has done in a couple of years, but if you were faced with no riding for three months then the option to race is clear. A torn and damaged right shoulder will be repaired this week, leaving Justin to watch the nationals from the other side of the tape, but once he has healed its back to the worlds cups and racing at its highest level. Thanks to the Leov family and I hope I didn't scare the neighbours too much.

Here's a few questions that I got the Yeti man to answer.

Clips or Flats next season?

That‚s a tricky one, flats for the off season, then just take it as it comes, sea otter will have to be on clips if you want to do well, its such a pedally course if you want to do well clips it is.

National series Vs World Cups, How big is the learning curve?

Its a huge difference, in my belief its the same as a club race compared to Nationals, you have some fast guys, but not the scale of fast guys. At the end of the day an overseas race is where it matters, it's where the sponsors are, where you have to lay it all on the line to do well if you want to pick up a ride or keep your ride.


What's racing to you?

Racing to me is technical track, fast, flowy and all the top riders are there, lots of competition and just pushing the limits, "between the tape" really. (shameless plug for Clay Porter's new DVD, that’s called "Between the tape" it's going to be sick)

Favorite tracks in New Zealand?

Coronet Peak last year, well built not overly technical but good jumps with lots of flow, just good racing. Jentree as well, what's been built up there has all the elements you would need to get better at riding and it sorts the men from the boys.


Favorite tracks worldwide.

Mount Saint Anne, and Angle Fire, wide, fast, heaps of rocks, roots and just all the elements, fitness for length and good bike skills and you still have to be able to hold it wide open.

Justin's top 5 pick for the National series

1. Sam
2. Nathan Rankin
3. Cam Cole
4. Glenn Haden
5. Des or Tom

Typical weekend for justin in NZ

Little bit of training, a few quiet beers, don't go out much in Christchurch, try and get on the moto as much as possible, more about the riding and not wasting the weekends

State of NZ Downhill

We are pretty hot at the moment, new juniors coming through all the time, local boy Peter Cooper, his talent for a 15 year old is phenomenal, it helps everybody go faster, everyone is getting pushed and it makes all the older guys step it up some more and i think NZ DH will get stronger over the next couple of years.

There also needs to be more money, we need to turn this into more of a sport like surfing or motocross, the extreme sports that are getting the exposure that we aren't, we need $1000 - $3000 for first place and attracting the bigger company‚s, get the beer companies involved, the companies that are more the image of the sport. Get them involved and get some money back into Downhill.

Are you a local celebrity in your hometown?
A little bit of a local celeb, I get my fair share of newspaper coverage and around the schools.


So do you get mobbed in the streets?
Its not that bad (laughing) no autograph signings or free meals at McDonalds.

Main Sponsors and thank you's:

Yeti Cycles, Fox Racing Shocks ,bell, spy, maxxis, dakine.
Everybody that supports me in NZ, Bike HQ, Al Hine at Blue Shark and anybody that supports DH in NZ, if you are try to promote DH for the good of the sport then that’s what we need in NZ.

 NZRIDE REPORTER: MIKE HILL
See photos from the club race here:

RACE: BLENHIEM CLUB DH Mike Hill dropped in on the Blenhiem club downhill race with Justin while he was down there filming for Pusher II. Full gallery of photos.

Sign up to the NZRIDE.com newsletter and go in the draw to win a free animal tee valued at $60
[CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS]

LATEST ARTICLE:

FINAL RACE REPORT: ROUND UP The details on what happened on the day plus more photos. Still more photos to come...

WATCH THE RACING LIVE ON www.mtbcut.tv
Video updates through the week.

4X live at 19.00 GMT to 21.00 GMT on Friday 7th September
Downhill Finals live 11.30 GMT to 15.00 GMT on Sunday 9th September

News every night from Wednesday to Sunday!

Not only are we covering the Downhill and 4X finals live, but we will also be providing updates from the race every night from the moment the first tire tread is laid on Wednesday morning. You will not miss a pedal stroke.

Other World Cup News:

Sam Hill wins Schladming Round for the 3rd time in a row. Tracey Hannah win's the women's.
08.07.2007
Yet again, Sam Hill storms the field to take his 3rd consecutive win on the Schladming Course. Tracey Hannah makes it a double header for Australia, taking out the women's race to win her first World Cup round. After rain earlier in the week perfect weather held out all weekend for an awesome event...

See full report and photos below

First win of the World Cup season for Sam Hill and another Win For Jonnier
24.06.2007
Sam Hill takes out the Men's race in the Final ahead of Greg Minnar and Steve Peat. Sabrina Jonier win's the women's race ahead of Tracy Mosely. Justin Leov in 7th Place - best world cup result for a kiwi so far this season!
[READ MORE HERE]

NI SERIES ROUND 1 10.10.2008 Wanganui as per usual had riders amping on practice day with beautiful weather and dry hard conditions, but turned on the waterworks for race day. [+]READ HERE

SOUTHSTAR SHUTTLES SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMME 04.10.2008 Southstar Shuttles are running all this week (second week of school holidays) in Vegas. Heaps of new trails now running off the top of the service to check out so get down there. [+]READ HERE

Brake Burner 6hr Super D entries now open 01.10.2008 The NZONE the Ultimate Jump Brake Burner 6hr Super D Entries are now being taken. One of THE events of the season Race date 7th February. [+]READ HERE

TIA AVAILABLE SHORTLY IN NZ 27.09.2008 NZRide.com is pleased to announce the release of TIA (This is Australia) in New Zealand. The DVD showcases Australias top talent with the likes of Hill, Rennie, Delfs, Graves, Kovarik, Hannah, plus many more and will be available in the next couple of weeks from all good bike stores and through the nzride online store. [+]READ HERE