Mountain Biking: Five Kiwis qualify at world cup

Five New Zealand downhill riders today qualified for the finals of the mountain biking world cup at Val di Sole in Italy.

All five finished in the top 16 in the timed qualifying run down the famed 2.25km course known as the Snake Pit.

The two Kiwi riders from the Lapierre International team, both returning to top action after serious injuries, led the way. Christchurch's Cameron Cole was fastest of the New Zealand riders and ninth overall in 3:28.130, while teammate Sam Blenkinsop from Wanganui was 10th fastest in 3:29.283.

The other New Zealanders through were world No 4 Brook Macdonald, who was 14th, Justin Leov in 15th and George Brannigan in 16th.

They were the only New Zealanders to qualify among the top 80 men and 20 elite women to advance to tomorrow's finals.

Those to miss the cut were Bryn Dickerson, Richard Leacock, Jamie Lyall and Edward Masters in the elite men and Sarah Atkin in the women.

Qualifying results from round two of the mountain bike world cup in Val di Sole, Italy:

Elite men: Aaron Gwin (USA) 3:16.693, 1; Greg Minnaar (SAF) 3:24.342, 2; Marc Beaumont (GBR) 3:24.887, 3. Also: Cameron Cole (NZ) 3:28.130, 9; Sam Blenkinsop (NZ) 3:29.283, 10; Brook Macdonald (NZ) 3:30.186, 3; Justin Leov (NZ) 3:30.229, 15; George Brannigan (NZ) 3:30.235, 16; Bryn Dickerson (NZ) 3:52.341, 144; Richard Leacock (NZ) 3:56.182, 154; Jamie Lyall (NZ) 3:58.289, 161; Edward Masters (NZ) dnf.

Elite women: Emmeline Ragot (FRA) 3:56.179, 1; Rachel Atherton (GBR) 4:02.796, 2; Myriam Nicole (FRA) 4:09.190, 3. Also: Sarah Atkin (NZ) 4:52.668, 25.