In her most recent race as a junior, Hutt Valley mountain biker Erice Van Leuven secured the overall World Cup downhill title by winning the final race in Canada. This impressive victory marked her second consecutive World Cup win and also earned her the overall season title, adding to her recent Junior Women’s Downhill World Championship win.
Despite facing a fall during her run and dealing with poor visibility, the 17-year-old rider showed resilience and determination to clinch the win ahead of fellow New Zealand rider Sacha Earnest. This triumph was a fitting conclusion to Van Leuven’s junior career as she prepares to move up to the elite category in the upcoming season.
Van Leuven expressed her happiness and pride after the race, highlighting her crash during the run but emphasizing her decision to stay focused and composed. She described the experience as a dream come true and a special moment to secure her second consecutive World Cup victory.
Meanwhile, Lachie Stevens-McNab, another New Zealand rider from Rotorua, came agonizingly close to his first elite World Cup win, finishing as the runner-up in the elite men’s final. Despite setting a strong time, he was narrowly edged out by Australian Troy Brosnan in the final run.
The season finale also saw rider Sacha Earnest claim second place, securing third overall for the World Cup season along with her bronze medal at the World Championships. Eliana Hulsebosch from Tauranga finished fourth overall, showcasing her resilience after returning from an injury that forced her to miss the North American races.
This event marked the end of an era for former national champion George Brannigan, who competed in his final UCI World Cup after 15 years on the circuit. While he plans to participate in one-off events in the future, his departure signifies a transition in the landscape of downhill mountain biking in New Zealand.
As the next generation of riders like Erice Van Leuven and Lachie Stevens-McNab continue to make their mark on the international stage, the future looks bright for New Zealand downhill mountain biking. With their talent, determination, and passion for the sport, these young athletes are poised to inspire a new wave of riders and elevate the country’s presence in the global mountain biking community.
