With the World Champs happening on NZ soil this year, it seems that all our riders have buggered off overseas to get a good build up to the Worlds. Some went over to further their chances of selection while some just went over for a good time.

UPDATE: 11/08/06

Sam Hill was fastest on the day beating Greg Minnaar by 1.86 seconds. Greg had crashed during his final practice session, but recovered well for his race run. His Honda G-Cross team-mate, Matti Lehikoenen also recovered from a crash during practice to come in 3rd  (6seconds faster than his qualifying run). J.K managed a 6th (8.26 seconds off the pace) with fellow Kiwis Des Curry and Tim Mackersey coming in 16th and 25th respectively.

In the women’s section, Melissa Buhl took the win over Sabrina Jonnier by 4.5 seconds with young Aussie star Tracey Hannah back in 3rd. This coming weekend sees the final at Snowmass, Colarado.

The same weekend over in France saw the final of the Maxxis Cup. Jenna Makgill won the womens class beating Emmeline Ragot of France. Jenna is definitely looking like a dark horse for the World Champs. Cam Cole took out the junior division and was 9th overall. Rolly ran some tape and cruised his run, while other riders had mixed results. Tom Holland came in 12th. Euro Skinner and Blair Christmas weren’t on it this weekend.

STYLE FOR MILES : UPDATE: 10/08/06

The last weekend in July saw Kiwi dirt guru Kelly McGarry get the chance of a lifetime as he took part in the Kokanee Crankworx Slopestyle event in Whistler B.C.  Not only did he make it into one of the biggest bike events on the planet – but also he nailed it, qualifying for the final event and finishing in the top 20.  The jug sculling wookie descendent McGazza has been a Whistler resident for a few months now and has been ripping out there on a Cove Shocker DH he got hooked up with: “Living in Whistler rules.  I try to ride my bike every day…its just so good have it all at your doorstep – skate park, dirt jumps, DH trails and the slopestyle course.  You name it, its here and there’s plenty of other riders to stoke you up.”

The qualifier for the Crankworx sold out in June in about two hours, but McGarry had his name on the reserve list and managed to secure a spot in the starting line up after a few riders pulled out.  The stage was well set with 15,000 people in the village watching some of the biggest names in the sport going for a place in the final.  There were 3 heats of 25 riders, with the top 5 in each heat advancing plus the next 8 overall.  The McGazza admitted to being super nervous before the first run, but laid down a solid ride and even got the Cove upside down as he back flipped some of the biggest doubles on the course.  “There was some pretty big stuff in the bone yard…there was one road gap that was massive and only one person had done it at that point.  I reckoned it looked all right, but there was no way I was coming up short on it – so I fucking sent it!  Thing was, I landed pretty far down the landing and bent the Cove.  I’d done enough to secure a spot in the final, so was up for riding it anyway but Gabe from Cove was so stoked he gave me a hot pink front end (ooh er..) and I was good to roll for the main event.

“I was pumped and shitting myself at the same time – it was so cool to be riding with the heavy hitters that you see in all the vids….” The final was insane, with some of the most talented riders on the planet doing road gap flips, 720 hucks, barspin tailwhips, flairs, front flips and other assorted madness on some of the biggest jumps ever seen in a competition.  McGarry had a pretty solid first run in the final, but was determined to step it up on his second run.  After landing another backflip he went to 360 the step up, but couldn’t bring the Cove round in time and had to bail on the landing.  Rather than call it a day he went for his signature front flip on the next jump to show he had skills to match the size of his gonads.  Signed off work for a few days, but wearing a cheesy grin Kelly finished 18th ahead of names like free ride legend Wade Simmons.  Kyle Strait finished 3rd behind Cameron McCaul and Cameron Zink takes home the title and the big cheque.

Kelly plans to spend the rest of the summer sessioning the Whistler trails and is already talking about his come back for next year’s event.  After a performance like that – they’ll be waiting for him for sure, it’s just the beginning…

Kelly McGarry would like to thank the NZ boys in Whistler (Chris and Eddy) for keeping him stoked and riding, the guys at KRD imports and Spy Optics.

Cam ‘Frodo’ Cole has been based in  Morzine. Cams getting used to the new Lahar He’s taken out a couple of races including a Maxxis cup (in the Juniors) and an Urban 4x in Avoriaz picking up $1000 Euros (apparently he was pretty excited that night). Cam beat Glen Haden in the final.  Mike ‘Euro’ Skinner’s been travelling with Cam. He had a bit of bad luck early in his trip, waking up the morning of race day at Willengen to find his bike along with Tom Holland’s and Craig Pattle’s stolen. The boys were lucky enough to borrow bikes for the race. Since then Mikes new rig has turned up and he’s loving it. So much in fact that he hasn’t been spreading any Euro Skinner love to the local ladies. They are missing out big time.

See Our cameron Cole interview on the interviews page for more on what Cam's been upto lately...

Blair Christmas is also having a stint in Europe. Some sad news lately from Blair, he has parted with the truck. After many fond memories over the years (smoking Scottie at the bottom of T.C.) they have parted ways. He has now adopted the full French lifestyle and has a beard and an 1100cc peugot that will do 160 in the right wind. It got the boys to Spain and back. Sam Blekinsop’s been charging at all the international races pulling off some good results which must see him as well as Cam go into the worlds as fairly strong favourites along with UK rider Brendon Fairclough.

Rolly’s also been hanging with the Euro crew. He picked up an impressive 2nd at the Spanish Maxxis open, behind local rider David Vazquez. Glenn, Hillsy and some of the juniors have also been based in Morzine. They are hitting up the Mega Avalanche this week.

Jlo’s been doing the full factory circuit, getting himself all over the globe. State side Kieran Bennett and Tim Mackersy have been racing for the Foes team and crashing with Brent Foes (following a bit of Kiwi tradition). Des Curry’s also been charging lately in the states pulling off what must be the biggest result in his career – 3rd at the latest Norba.

Byron and Mavis spent 3 weeks in Whistler (see review) where they met up with nzride.com European correspondent Paul Smail. You might remember Paul who has done the NZ National series twice now. Probably most famous for Mr Big, The leopard G String or the nude run on the old Taniwha track a few years back. He likes rocking out………

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