Welcome to Napier, Hawkes Bay. Home of the Bulldog (Brook MacDonald) and the breeding ground of George Brannigan, Napier must have something in the water because it has a rich history of producing fast racers!

On the back of last weekend's success, we traveled to Napier for round two of the new format New Zealand National Downhill Series. Napier has always been a rider favourite due to the courses mix of terrain, steep sections, and abundance of large jumps. All of which have been hand-built by a small group of local riders/racers and club members. Last weekend saw young gun, Keegan Wright, challenging Wyn Masters for the top step as well as Brook Macdonald. With Wyn Masters absent for round two this weekend and this being Brook's home turf, it was to be an interesting day to see how it would play out on the hills of the PanPac Eskdale Forest. You would be silly to not expect Brook to trump all others.

In previous years, Napier has always been the hottest race on the circuit, with temperatures reaching upwards of 30 degrees celsius (90 F) for race runs. This weekend started off a little different, with temperatures as low as four degrees on the drive in and heavy cloud cover, with a small weather front looming. A month of dry weather beforehand, though, meant that trail conditions were as dry as it gets, and an extreme fire risk almost canceled the racing before it even got going.

NZ Downhill National Series - Round 2 - Napier
A slow start to the morning with everyone knowing that it was going to be a long, hot day.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
NZ Downhill National Series - Round 2 - Napier

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
"My name's Liam Jackson and welcome to my Mobile Crib" Liam and his group of mates pulled dad's old pop-up caravan out of the shed of this weekend's race, parked up on a quiet beachfront road for night and the used it for the ultimate source of shade on race day.

NZ Downhill National Series - Round 2 - Napier

NZ Downhill National Series - Round 2 - Napier
Louis Hamilton scrubbed the first feature better than you did your teeth this morning!

NZ Downhill National Series - Round 2 - Napier
...And then proceeded to destroy the following corner.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Nick Birkhead trying to navigate his way through the dust clouds.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Cole Lucas went for the triple off the first step-down during his first-run challenge.

NZ National Series - Round 2 - Napier New Zealand
While teammate Keegan Wright kept things low with a huge scrub!

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Brook rides this track frequently for training, so it was no surprise to see him styling his way down the course during early morning practice.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Boaz Hebblethwaite came all the way up from Christchurch for the first two races of the National Series. He took the U19 men's win last weekend at FourForty and was hoping to do the same again here in Napier, in conditions he was used to after riding the new Adventure Park.

NZ National Series - Round 2 - Napier New Zealand
After just missing out on the top step at last weekend's race, Keegan Wright was more hungry than ever for the win.

NZ National Series - Round 2 - Napier New Zealand
...But Keegan still had The Bulldog standing in his way, and on his home track, Brook wasn't just going to roll over and let Keegan have it.

NZ National Series - Round 2 - Napier New Zealand
Carson Rayner may be small, but that didn't stop him from going big all practice.

NZ National Series - Round 2 - Napier New Zealand

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2

NZ National Series - Round 2 - Napier New Zealand
Brook seeded fastest, putting just under two seconds into Keegan.

NZ National Series - Round 2 - Napier New Zealand
...But Keegan knew that he had more to give in his race run.

Dust as far as the eye could see The race was close to being canceled by forestry management earlier in the week but thankfully it proceeded with an extreme fire risk warning in place. This however didn t stop many from getting lit.
Dust as far as the eye could see! The race was close to being canceled by forestry management earlier in the week, but thankfully, it proceeded with an extreme fire risk warning in place. This, however, didn't stop many from getting lit.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Peter Bethell once again displayed incredible consistency and didn't have to move off of the step he took last week, 3rd again in Elite Men.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Logan Jensen with his wicked semi-moto crossover style, was having a rad time in the dust all day with his mates.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Josh Reilly was one of the few Elite racers to compete using his trail bike. He made short work of the large jumps but struggled at high speed and through rougher sections of the course.

NZ National Series - Round 2 - Napier New Zealand
Leonard Sonntag with a huge 'nac.

NZ National Series - Round 2 - Napier New Zealand
James Carley keeping the freestyle racing going with a tidy suicide no-hander.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Connor Hamilton looked to be on the pace all morning, but a disastrous crash late in practice would see him finishing the day in an ambulance. A real shame, considering he has always done well in Napier.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2

Connor fell hard and quick onto a rock. Sadly, dislocating his shoulder and fracturing his hand.

bigquotesI was enjoying the track and I was having heaps of fun in practice, then I had a big digger where I hit my right hand on a tree on an off-camber section, then landing on a rock with my left shoulder, dislocating it, as well as a hand fracture. Guttered to say I can't race any more of the North Island Nationals, but I will still try make it down south. - Connor Hamilton

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Brother Louis would hold things down for the Hamilton Racing Duo and would proceed to threaten the podium once again.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
"That doesn't look good!"

Team Wide Open s custom POC Coron s all lined up ready for an afternoon of action
Team Wide Open's custom POC Coron's all lined up ready for an afternoon of action.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Jack Humphries chasing Cole Lucas through the dust.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Amanda Monk and Shania Rawson always have a close rivalry going - previously with Amanda leading the way - but Shania took her first win over Amanda last weekend, so she was hungry for redemption. Sadly, Amanda wiped out into a tree through the 'motorway' section of the track and finished her day early.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
With Amanda out of the picture for the day, Shania Rawson had her heart set on her second win, but Sarah Atkin wasn't going to let Shania have it so easy.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Pivot Racing team members Blake Ross and Josh Oxenham sticking together during practice.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Dobbie sending the infamous hipped step-down with style.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Dane Nimmo off the log drop.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Nick popping high above a messy off-chamber section of roots.

One of the few line choices on the track take the inside line in an attempt to exit the corner cleaner
One of the few line choices on the track, take the inside line in an attempt to exit the corner cleaner...

Or take the outside tip it and rip it
...Or take the outside, tip it and rip it.

NZ National Series - Round 2 - Napier New Zealand

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Daniel Self was another racer going full Enduro in the Elite field, but sadly, he came unstuck during his seeding run, breaking his hand and would have to sit out the race runs.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Josh Oxenham had a clean day on the bike, seeding 2nd and then going on to finish the day 2nd behind an always challenging John Richardson.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Ashley Bond rode strong out there today in conditions a little outside of her comfort zone, rounding out the Elite Women's Podium in 4th.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Skye Follas had another textbook day on the bike and went two for two in Junior Women. Hopefully, we will see her progress up to Elite Women sooner rather than later, so she can give herself a bit more competition.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Keegan Wright was loving the super fast conditions out there.

bigquotes Was a sweet day out on the big bike, had heaps of fun playing around in the dust! Stoked to see how many riders turned up for the 2nd round. All 'round sick day out riding bikes - Keegan Wright

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Tyler Smith getting motivationally heckled by Isaac Ewen.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Young gun Ethan Blanchard was happy with his day on the bike and finished up 7th in U17 Boys. Expect to see him climbing the rankings as the season progresses.

NZ Downhill National Series - Round 2 - Napier
Eyes on the prize for James Carley.

NZ Downhill National Series - Round 2 - Napier

NZ Downhill National Series - Round 2 - Napier
Charlie Makea, one of the men responsible for building this epic track, coming into the finish line with deadly focus.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Queenstown local, Sam Robbie seeded first in U19, just over a second up on Josh Oxenham. But, a foot unclipping on a pedal section and the following fight to stay upright meant Sam lost valuable time and would cost him - finishing 3rd.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Sarah Atkin came out of nowhere and put over two seconds into Shania to take the win.

NZ Downhill National Series - Round 2 - Napier
Sarah Atkin, Flat pedals and on a trail bike!

NZ Downhill National Series - Round 2 - Napier
Shania Rawson was unable to back up her 1st place seeding run and finished the day just two seconds behind Sarah Atkin.

bigquotesI had good practice runs all morning. The track was super dusty with more roots and holes developing throughout the day. I had a clean seeding run, just taking it easy and saving my energy. Sadly, my race run didn't go to plan, with a few mistakes in the middle section. But, I'm looking forward to another weekend of racing at Dome next weekend. - Shania Rawson

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Dane Nimmo hooking the high line.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Always Stylish, Always Fast - Louis Hamilton.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Cole Lucas rode a smart race today, not talking up his ability or talking about the size of the whips he threw. He slid his way into 5th place.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Josh Reilly going Ronnie Mac over the last table.

NZ Downhill National Series - Round 2 - Napier
Whip Master of the Day, Carson Rayner, didn't have a great day on the bike in terms of a placing, but he loved every minute of it while trying to destroy his freshly built rear wheel.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Carl Edmondson, pinned.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Brook MacDonald did all he could, but just couldn't hold off an unstoppable Keegan Wright.

bigquotesTrack conditions were super dry, but the track was running fast and loose. With a new line added, it made for some good brown pow. Always good racing in your hometown, and had a good day out at a well organised event - Brook MacDonald

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2
Keegan dug in deep, pedaled everywhere possible and crossed the line in first, winning by just 0.153 seconds.

New Zealand Downhill National Cup - Round 2

Elite Mens Podium
Elite Men's Podium.
Elite Women s Podium
Elite Women's Podium.

Elite Men
1st - Keegan Wright
2nd - Brook MacDonald
3rd - Peter Bethell
4th - Louis Hamilton
5th - Cole Lucas
Elite Women
1st - Sarah Atkin
2nd - Shania Rawson
3rd - Sarah Fox
4th - Ashley Bond


Full results here.


MENTIONS: @cameronmackenzie


Author Info:
cameronmackenzie avatar

Member since Mar 6, 2011
66 articles

33 Comments
  • 41 1
 unreal pics .... awesome coverage ... just damn!
  • 23 1
 Stunning photos.

One thing that I noticed is the amount of people who have their hands quite far in from the ends of the bars, personal preference obviously, but I'd of thought it would make sense to trim them down. Unless people hold the bar in different places depending on what they are doing?
  • 1 0
 I spose I get it from dirt jumping, never really noticed it when on the big bike in all honesty
  • 5 0
 Yeah! James Carley is the worst!
  • 1 0
 I do the same, attribute it to having the brake lever or shifter too far in board, your hands gradually migrate if they're too far away
  • 17 0
 This is top class coverage! Better then some or most WC photo articles.
  • 15 2
 Charlie Makea, coming into the finish line with deadly focus.. and a strange spinal position
  • 5 0
 He slept funny
  • 1 0
 I heard that @jimmy66 james "dobbie" dobson cant swim
  • 3 0
 @chazmak: he does a good manu though
  • 3 0
 @NakiTrailRider: phattest manu out
  • 11 0
 So many riders without gloves. How can I tell which one is Blenki?

(Nice pics; It is neat seeing non-UCI events covered. )
  • 10 0
 Loving the excellent photos and all round coverage Cameron! Keep it going!!
  • 9 0
 That's it, I'm smuggling gloves into NZ, there's money to be made..............
  • 4 0
 Wicked coverage @cameronmackenzie. Really fantastic pics and some good background also. More please sir!
  • 5 0
 Is it not cool to wear gloves any more?
  • 2 0
 hasn't been for a while!
  • 1 0
 I find it funny how many people use the DX Shimano pedal. All I've ever had with them has been loosening and busted bushings or spacers or whatever those things that break on the axle are. One friend had the whole pedal come off the axle and was left doing his best to survive riding on one foot....
  • 5 0
 still last 5 times longer than mallets at 1/3rd the price
  • 3 0
 Jandals well represented on the podium...
  • 3 0
 "Honey, let's move to New Zealand."
"Ok".
  • 3 0
 Do Brook's wheels look big to anyone else?
  • 2 0
 @skyefollas keepin' the Goose alive!
  • 1 0
 Awesome stuff Cameron ????????
  • 1 0
 Great coverage. Keep er comin! Thanks.
  • 1 0
 Wicked pics. Is there a full result sheet somewhere?
  • 4 0
 They have only just been posted online!
Full Results here: nzdownhill.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/roundtwodhconz269.pdf
  • 1 0
 Yeah Sarah!
  • 1 0
 What is SSC? can I join?
  • 1 0
 Great coverage, cheers!
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