Luck turns after trip goes downhill

It's a good thing his results stacked up because Tauranga mountain biker Hayden McGregor's first road trip to the South Island wasn't much to write home about.
Although he can look back now and laugh, McGregor said being stuck in the middle of nowhere with his transportation plans in tatters had given him a few anxious moments.
McGregor and Tauranga's Hayden Lee _ mates as well as downhill rivals _ headed south last month for the first three rounds of the national downhill series in Wanaka, Queenstown and Dunedin.
"Hayden bought an old Toyota Hi-ace van for $1300. It seemed like a bargain and it was supposed to get us around the South Island for three weeks," McGregor said.
"It was the first time I'd ever been out of the North Island so I was pretty excited about a big road trip, but we'd only driven 450km and the engine blew up!"
After deliberating for a day whether to ditch the van and hitch a ride back up the country _ not easy with two high-spec downhill bikes in tow _ the travelling companions bit the bullet and got the van back on the road.
"It ended up costing $3500 for a new motor, which was a bummer, but we had a heap of fun when it was finally fixed."
The engine mishap didn't dampen McGregor's enthusiasm, with the 18-year-old now leading the men's senior division in his first full crack at the national series.
He can wrap up the national title today with a win in round four of the series at Dome Valley, north of Auckland. The final round is in Levin next weekend.
McGregor was beaten in round one of the nationals at Treble Cone by Frenchman Gaetan Reilhan, but since then has gone on to win the second and third rounds at Coronet Peak and Dunedin to take a stranglehold on the series with two rounds torace.
He also secured his first national championship in Nelson three weeks ago.
"That national title was a huge buzz _ it was down a four minute-long track and I took it (over Marlborough's Sam Reed) by more than 3sec so I was stoked."
McGregor spent yesterday practising at Dome Valley, buoyed by a new $10,000 2-Stage downhill machine.
He has been supported this season by Lower clothing, Bike `N Pack and Novus Glass.
"I'm feeling good about the weekend and am really in for it, especially with the new bike _ it's way smoother.
"Even though I've gone pretty well so far won't let myself get cocky because the guy in second isn't too far away. I've got to stay on it because I haven't won anything yet."
McGregor, a boat painter, has been riding downhill for several years and is a past junior winner of the now-defunct Mount downhill.
Encouraged by Vanessa Quin, Tauranga's former downhill world champion who is off the dirt recovering from a neck fracture, McGregor is eyeing a move into the big boys' ranks next season.
"Pro-elite would be wicked _ you're in for a piece of the prizemoney and even get your own separate practice sessions on a clear track. It'd beat having to weave your way through everyone."