Harley’s latests updates
Great effort Harley .....we’re going to see you on he podium soon 
We arrived in Christchurch on the Tuesday at the Coopers house in Woodend, after a long two days of driving. Anton took me for a ride around the new Pegasus subdivision which was a great way to spin out the legs after the long trip down. That weekend we headed to Living Springs on the Sunday afternoon for the 2nd round of NZMTB Cup.
The weather changed its mind from the nice summer weather to a cold, drizzly day. Luckily tho, the track stayed dry. As I didn’t race in the first round of the cup, I didn’t have a start position so was called up to the line last. However, this didn’t stop me from barging my way through the field of riders! Up the one and only climb (which was half the 6km course) I made lots of ground and had a good position into the single track, which I held for the rest of that lap. I boosted through the tech zone and grabbed my bottle which mum was holding out with ease and headed for my 2nd of 6 laps. I nailed it into the first section of single track which happened to be a rock garden.. And this is where my race finished as I punctured only 500m out of the tech zone where I had a spare set of wheels! I was guttered as I had to work so hard to get into the position I was in. One thing was good that I actually got to watch the rest of the race with Ben Johnson and cheered our fellow Northlander Matt Andrews on.
The Next week we headed over to Nelson for NZMTB National Champs. The course was extremely sketchy and loose. Super dry with loose rocks, and steep!
Once again I didn’t get called up to the line, this time because I was first year in U23 and didn’t have a place from last year’s national champs (as I was U19). The course started on a gravel climb which turned into a storm of flying rocks and dust. You could hardly see where you were going! I managed to pick my way through the field of 30 riders from all over the country and was about mid field into the single track. As this was my first race I had no idea how I was going to do, so I paced myself, and even managed to pick up a few places to my surprise! I could feel the cramp coming on the 5th lap and wanted to hold it together and finish. After taking that lap steady, I boosted the last lap and came in 10th in elite men. I was stoked!
The next day we went to the Downhill where the XC Eliminator was being held. This was one of the coolest races I have ever competed in! Its 4X style format meant we all got to go head to head and battle it out on the short 500m long course which weaved in and out of the DH event village. I came 2nd in all my heats and made it to the final. Unfortunately, I missed my pedal of the start line and wasn’t able to catch back up leaving me one place off the podium!
Photos from the last three races.....looking good in the Northland Kit!
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About Harley Going
Our latest "Sponsored Rider", Harley Going ....the young man to watch out for on the Mountain Bike circuit!!!
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