Hawkes Bay rider Brook Macdonald's aggression paid dividends in qualifying for the mountain bike world cup downhill in Canada today.
Macdonald, not satisfied with his 20th in the last round in Scotland two weeks ago, was fourth fastest down the long and fast course near Quebec City.
Less than a
second behind him was New Zealand national champion Justin Leov, another who has been disappointed with his form in Europe.
Of the 20 Kiwis riding across the downhill and crosscountry disciplines at the event, six have qualified for the elite men's downhill competition - led by Macdonald, with Leov (fifth), Cameron Cole (16th), Sam Blenkinsop (18th) and George Brannigan (20th) through to the finals.
There was good news for Nelson's Kieran Bennett who qualified for his first world cup final this year when he was just inside the top 80 riders.
