Crankworx: Bruni steals show in downhill (+video)

CHAMP: Frenchman Loic Bruni waits to see if his downhill time was quick enough to win the inaugural Crankworx Rotorua Downhill event yesterday. PHOTO/CHESTER BOYES

Most of the large crowd on Mt Ngongotaha would have been hoping for a Kiwi champion to be crowned during the Crankworx Rotorua Downhill event but a Frenchman stole the spotlight.

Loic Bruni was the fastest rider down Mt Ngongotaha yesterday afternoon, winning the Crankworx Rotorua Downhill presented by iXS on the third day of action at Crankworx Rotorua.

The best downhill mountain bike riders in the world took part on the gnarly course at the Skyline Gravity Park, but could not challenge the lightning-fast time of Bruni.

The 20-year-old was made to sweat though after finishing in 2min 50.6sec, with the top four seeds all competing after him.

"Honestly I did not know if I would win. When I crossed the line I knew I had a good ride but I had to wait," Bruni said.

World champion Gee Atherton (Great Britain) went second to last, and was well off the pace, before Mick Hannah (Australia) rode last. The highly-fancied Hannah blew a tyre on his ride, handing Bruni the win and $5000 winner's cheque.

"I like Mick because he is a cool guy but I am happy," he said. "It is just a great feeling to be on top of the podium for my first run of the season."

He said he had never won a Crankworx event before and it rated among the best results of his career. He also said the crowd in Rotorua was incredible yesterday with people lining the track all the way down the mountain.

The top Kiwi was Sam Blenkinsop (Wanganui) who finished third, about three seconds behind Bruni. American Eliot Jackson was perhaps the surprise package, finishing in second.

Rotorua's Keegan Wright held the fastest time for a while yesterday, but was bumped down the leaderboard later.

Meanwhile, world No2 Rachel Atherton (Great Britain) won the women's race in a very tight contest. She finished her timed run about half a second quicker than Australian Tracey Hannah.

"I'm pretty stoked. I felt when Tracey did the jumps in the middle [of the course] she would have me," she said.

MORE CRANKWORX HERE

"I kind of needed this confidence boost I think ... we have a full world cup series ahead of us and I think the goal for all the girls is to win."

Emilie Siegenthaler (Switzerland) finished in third.

The Pump Track Challenge presented by RockShox was also scheduled to be held last night at the Skyline Gravity Park, after being postponed on Thursday evening because of rain.

Crankworx Rotorua wraps up tomorrow with the main event at the mountain bike festival - the Crankworx Rotorua Slopestyle.