Rotorua, home to the 2006 world mountainbike championships but most importantly the venue for the final round of the highly acclaimed North Island downhill series.On Friday afternoon Scott Bedford and myself hopped in the Bently and drove to vegas.It pissed down with rain the whole way on we only managed one drift at 100km…
By the time we reached vegas it was still raining and word on the street was that the muds should go on…
Practice day, Saturday 9th December
2006 North Island Downhill Series Final
This was the practice day and we awoke to beautiful sun shine,the birds singing and the rotten egg smell of Rotorua. That morning the mud tyres came straight off again as the track was bone dry, rough as hell, and so fast even my grandma would be scared.
Most of the big dogs showed up for the race, factoy Sam and Joel Daniels were in attendance, as were that dream boat Cameron Cole, Mavis , Tom Holland and skinner the pinner. The transport was occasionally slow but then again they were using buses…The was only one vandalism issue which results in a smashed window…no one saw who it was though
Towards the end of the day people were going crazy fast especially the new age pinner’s from Hawke’s Bay. The practice day ended at around 3.30 and by that time we all had the track down, and no one really wanted the track to get any rougher……
So we all headed back to our accommodation at Crash palace backpackers to lax out.
Race Day , Saturday 9th December
2006 North Island Downhill Series Final
We were all up bright and early to get on the first trucks to the top of the hill, me and Beddy thought that we might try and drive in the access road but the abruptly stopped by a very angry park ranger, he didn’t even buy the excuse that I was a journalist running a report for nzride.com…..
The track was again bone dry almost dusty and by the time practice finished everyone was ready to race. The first run everything ran smoothly. Cam Cole schooled all the pros and placing first by around 6 seconds for Factory Sam and sizzle. I won run one in juniors closely followed by Donny and Scott Bedford.Vaughn Woolhouse showed everyone what’s up when he posted a time that would have got him first in u19.fter a short lunch break and a graffiti session on Kai’s car the race was on…due to a timing alteration thee was a bit of a hold up going into run two. Cameron Cole donned a pink shirt and again showed his dominance on his plastic fantastic Lahar going a second up on his first time to post a final 3.02, Sam B was second with a 3.08 and sizzle… went two seconds faster with a 3.08 as well. Rumor has it Local boy Tom Holland Let them win as hes concentrating more on his cross country career . Juniors was taken by Scott Bedford who pinned it down in his re run to take victory and a hundy bucks over donny and Michael Langford. Vaughn Woolhouse was untouchable with his 3.20 first run and comfortably took the win from Aari Barrat. All in all it was a great race, a great turnout and the perfect lead up to nationals.
Big Ian Thurlow-Daniels deserves a mention as he gave up his shopping time with his girlfriend to make it the race….Also thanks to all the organisers who ran the series and gave the north Island riders something to ride going into nationals.
//Eddies trademark pink gloves from last season are obviosly catching on - this proves just what a fashion icon he is - want to know what's going to be hot next season, watch Master Masters for the latest.
Eddie Master was proudly brought to you by the letters D, N & Z, the number 1 and his sponsors:
NI SERIES: ED'S DIARIES: WELLY
The low down on the Wellington round of the North Island Series from everyone's favorite grom, Eddie Masters.
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FINAL RACE REPORT: ROUND UP The details on what happened on the day plus more photos. Still more photos to come...
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4X live at 19.00 GMT to 21.00 GMT on Friday 7th September
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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]
VICTORY DVD
19.11.2008
The guys from MTBcut have been travelling the World Cups this year and are close to releasing what looks like being one of the best race dvd's we've seen. [+]READ HERE
NIS FINAL - DOME VALLEY ONLINE ENTRIES
19.11.2008
Online entries are now up online for the final of the North Island Series at Dome Valley, just slightly north of Auckland. [+]READ HERE
SIGNAL HILL RACE
14.11.2008
Heres how Eddie Masters saw the event. Photos Courtesy of Eddie Cuthers and Oliver Brumby. [+]READ HERE
BIKE HQ DH SERIES
12.11.2008
Cam Cole sent in a report from the latest round of the BIKE HQ DH Series held in the Port Hills last weekend. [+]READ HERE
