Finn Iles silver by just 0.09 seconds in Rotorua Downhill
Casey Brown leads three Canadian women in the top-10
Finn Iles is off to a fast start in his second year of elite downhill racing, taking second at the Rotorua Downhill. On the women’s side, Tracey Hannah started her year off right, while a trio of Canadians crowded into the top-10 placings.
Razor-sharp margins on the podium
In 2018, Iles started his first season after moving up from junior to elite at the same event, where he finished third. Friday’s dusty, dry track couldn’t have been much different than the mud fest racers navigated last year, but Illes was once again on the podium.
“I’m pretty happy. First race of the year is always a bit nerve-racking, but last year I got third here and this year I got second, in completely different conditions,” said Iles. “It was a close race.”
The Canadian’s time of 2:52.96 was just 0.09 seconds off Brook MacDonalds winning time. It was tight racing all around, as George Brannigan in third was also within half a second of the win.
For MacDonald, the win comes on the heels of his victory in last weekend’s New Zealand downhill championships.
“It’s pretty amazing. Good way to kick off the season. Some big names here,” said MacDonald, acknowledging the World Cup level, including current world champion Loic Bruni. Last to drop in, Bruni didn’t have a full chance to push MacDonald’s time, suffering a flat tire and ending his run prematurely. “Obviously unfortunate for Loic who had a flat tire. It would’ve been good to see what he would have done. But that’s racing. I’m pretty stoked. Good way to lead into the World Cups.”
Redemption for Hannah and fast Canadians
The first race of the season is always add that unknown factor to racing. “I was crapping my pants, to be honest,” said an honest and exhausted Tracey Hannah after her winning run.
“It’s the first race of 2019,” Hannah added. “You don’t know what to expect. I’ve been training completely on my own with my coach. I haven’t been riding with anyone. You just don’t know. You just know that you’ve done the work. You don’t know on paper what it’s going to look like. I’m really happy.”
For Hannah, there’s an extra element of redemption. A concussion before this event last year was the start of what the Australian described as a “tough year” in 2018.
“I’m in a really good headspace and I’m super stoked,” said Hannah. “It’s good to be here and it’s good to win.”
Behind Hannah, Kate Weatherley will keep the silver on New Zealand soil, followed by last year’s winner at this event, Tahnée Seagrave (GBR).
Casey Brown led a trio of Canadians in the top 10, placing seventh. Vaea Verbeeck followed just 0.3 seconds behind in eighth, and Devinci’s Whistler-based rider Georgia Astle. Verbeeck’s eighth adds valuable points to her Queen of Crankworx campaign, pushing her lead to 232 points against Aneeke Beerten’s 175 at the end of the event.
