Hines takes first Crankworx win and Lemoine repeats on Rotorua Pump Track

American Kialani Hines on her way to a win in the Crankworx Rotorua Pump Track Challenge. Photo / Fraser Britton

After a year of being in touch, and with a string of second and third places to her name, American Kialani Hines sealed the deal last night.Lining up in the final at the same start gate where was thrust into the spotlight last year, coming in second behind Jill Kintner, Hines went two for two, winning both rounds against Tauranga's Shania Rawson. The win in the Rotorua Pump Track Challenge is her first in Crankworx competition.

"It's really exciting. It really hasn't been that long because it was just last year really, but being in second so many times, it feels so good to finally win it...I told myself that, regardless, I'll be happy as long as I'm riding how I know I can ride. But I did want it this time," Hines said.

Rawson, who currently sits third in the Queen of Crankworx points table, has also stepped up her form this year and plans on completing the entire Crankworx Tour in 2019.

"This year is one of my first years competing in elite competition so I'm stoked to be up with the big guns. I'm definitely going to be heading overseas to do all the rest of the Crankworx tour," Rawson said.

On the men's side, the final also had elements of déjà vu. Last year in Rotorua, Tomas Lemoine, of France, battled it out with fellow Frenchman Chaney Guennet for gold, coming out on top. Last night,Lemoine was lined up against Rotorua's Keegan Wright (NZL), who won the event in 2017. The match up was also familiar. In 2018, at Crankworx Les Gets, the final saw Lemoine and Wright face off, with the Kiwi coming out in front.

Rotorua's Keegan Wright (left) and Frenchman Tomas Lemoine go head-to-head in the Pump Track final. Photo / Fraser Britton

This time, Lemoine claimed victory.

"It feels good. I was feeling good on track this morning, and I had some rage to evacuate from yesterday."

The 2018 Crankworx Speed & Style world champion Lemoine battled his way to the small final in Thursday's Mons Royale Speed & Style Rotorua, only to be taken down, not by his competitor, but by a flat. Deflated, he didn't bother lining up against Greg Watts, of US, for the second run, settling for fourth.

And while yesterday's pent-up energy was pumping through his veins on track tonight, Lemoine said he wasn't thinking back to his last battle with Wright in France.

"No, I just always try to take it like to take it one by one. I don't think about everything else that's around. I just try to go fast and I won. Maybe he'll win next time because he's super good."

Wright was happy with the result as it boosted him to the top of the King of Crankworx standings of 224 points where he has a 29 point lead over compatriot Bill Meaclam.

"It couldn't have shaped up to be a better [ride], it's been an awesome night out here – the home crowds came out again and it has been full support. I couldn't have done it with them."

Third place for the men went to Adrien Loron, of France, who beat Kiwi Billy Meaclem, the current pride of New Zealand won in Speed & Style on Thursday.

On the women's side, it was Tahnee Seagrave, of Great Britain, who took home the bronze in a close match up against Vaea Verbeeck, of Canada, the early leader in the battle for Queen of Crankworx. It was Seagrave's second podium finish of the day. Just hours earlier she took another bronze in the Crankworx Rotorua Downhill.