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Ex-Nelson local, Reuben Olorenshaw, keeping a steady head after seeding in 2nd place took 7-seconds off his time in the final run, winning the Elite class with a solid field. His best National result to date.

The Giant Top Gun, a three day event run by the Nelson Mountain Bike Club, returned for its fourth year to find the best overall riders from three disciplines. The weekend began with a downhill race on the steep and technical Kaka Hill track. A Cross Country race around Codgers Mountain Bike Park followed the day after. Finally, an Enduro on three of Nelson's best, steepest and most-technical trails (Peaking Ridge, 629 and Maitai Face) wrapped up the long weekend.

Saturday’s downhill event was also the third stop in the New Zealand National Downhill Series and brought top riders from around the country including Sam Blenkinsop, Brook MacDonald, Rupert Chapman and Sarah Atkin to challenge local shredders Kieran Bennett, Reuben Olorenshaw, Kurt Lancaster, Loui Harvey, Henry Jaine and Hayden Mckay. The best two out of three events count towards an overall win and a thousand dollar cash prize.

The downhill began with slippery conditions for Friday’s practice caused by rain the night before. This made for exciting first runs before the sun arrived to dry the track out. Conditions continued to improve throughout the day. By Saturday morning the track had dried to perfect hero dirt with a few still-slick rocks in the native bush at the top of the track,  catching the unwary. By early afternoon spectators lined the sides of the track to cheer on the racers.

Race runs began at 3pm with Sarah Atkin coming out on top of the Women's field with 3:36.24, ahead of Agata Bulska in 2nd and Lisa Horlor in 3rd. The Elite Men's field was very close with local rider, Reuben Olorenshaw coming out on top in 2:55.32 followed by Sam Blenkinsop (2:57.13), Rupert Chapman (2:57.34) Brook MacDonald (2:59.187) and Kieran Bennett (3:00.82). A special mention for U19 Men's winner, Matt Gillan, who's time of 3.03.02 would have put him in 6th place in a strong elite field.

Download complete results PDF

Credit
Sven Martin
Giant Top Gun - New Zealand National 3, Downhill Race Action
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