An amazing team of riders went to the Secondary School MTB Champs held in Methven this last weekend

Nayland had a team of 8 students representing the school being Nico Schroder, Zai Gilsenan, Cameron Potts, Xanthe Robb, Kiran Taylor, Jesse Richardson, Michael Standish and Archie Hunter with podiums achieved across the U14 Boys and U16 girls. Methven certainly put the weather on for us with slippery conditions on the Thursday for practise runs but then the track conditions just got better and better over the coming days. Bit warm even for us Nelsononians with a high of 26 on Sunday.

Xanthe did an exceptional XC race on Friday with her 'running' the last lap of the course due to a broken bike (thanks Nigel for the fix of the derailer). The course was a 3.8km loop with a couple of decent climbs involved. Her determination not to get a DNF was amazing - even carried her bike across the finish line with a smile on her face. Proving that by finishing the race, a beaut DH run that achieved a 2nd placing and an Enduro race on the Sunday which also earned her a 2nd placing, got her an overall placing of 3rd for the U16 girls. Well done.

Nico raced for the first time for Nayland in the U14 boys with some great finishes of 7th in the XC, 4th in the DH and a second in the Enduro - overall placing 4th overall. Kiran was also registered for the three categories and had a great day on Friday in the XC and achieved a top 5 position in his seeding run (one before the race to get your starting position) in the DH event on Saturday but crashed out in his racing run. Unfortunately no racing on the Sunday - arm in a sling does make it a bit hard when you need to use the rear brake. Kiran was a very lucky boy with the outcome being a sprained wrist and collar bone. Zai and Cameron did a good job in supporting their team members until it was time for their races with Zai completing the XC and Enduro in great style and Cameron only racing in the Enduro with an 9th placing- got voted the best finish of the day with a perfect slide into the hay bales (after this finish line luckily!)

Jesse, Michael and Archie raced in the U20's which itself is a pretty big ask at the age of 16 as you are up against 19 year olds.Jesse and Michael both did the Enduro with Michael just getting the pip on Jesse by one placing. Archie placed 9th in DH and achieved a 12th in Enduro.

Great kids to take away and thanks to Deborah, Nigel, Hunter for their support. Thought of the weekend "don't give up even if you think you won't be in the running".

Link for the parents for results is:

Skoda South Island School MTB Championships (cyclingnewzealand.nz)

Aaron and I had a great time with them all - so polite and helpful kids Great team supporters encouraging not just our own team but other competitors from the Top of the South.

Let's all do it again in October for the Nationals which are being held a bit closer to home in Blenheim.