NZ Downhill National Cup: Round 1 - Auckland

Today marks the start of the 2016 New Zealand Downhill National Cup series. A series of 4 rounds - 2 on the North Island and 2 on the South Island. Cycling New Zealand have composed a solid race schedule with each venue featuring its own unique terrain and challenges. With the New Zealand downhill scene exploding right now with huge a seasonal presence of visiting international riders, while also playing host to large international events, the level of domestic riding has lifted hugely.


The first round of the series saw riders taking to the slopes of Auckland's 440 Mountain Bike Park - a private gravity park based at the foot of the Hunua Ranges. 440 is known for its fast turn-around shuttles and large variety of trails. The park got its name due to the fact the hill it sits on is 440 Meters Vertical from base to top. Although Auckland has the highest concentration of volcanos out of any other NZ City, the terrain is far from volcanic. Auckland is known for being the worst place to ride when it's wet due to the large amount of clay in the soil.

With the park being private and in the hope of preserving the trails, the 440 closes in the wet. Of the 4 wet weekends Auckland has had so far, 3 of them have been event weekends, so riders had to scramble to buy mud tyres. Friday saw the stormiest day Auckland has had in months, so the trails got a good watering just before todays events unfolded. This morning saw wet, greasy conditions greet riders, not to mention that all-to famous 'Peanut Butter' dirt Auckland is known for in the wet.





While the young riders were quick to get up on the shuttle, The more seasoned riders knew to wait.




The park has been open to normal use over the summer so local riders have had a good chance to practice the track. What nobody knew was that Byron and his crew had been working hard to cut in the fresh loamy lines and keep them secret.






The sun come out early afternoon the track started to dry out quick, Riders were fast to remove the mud tyres and get practising on track conditions that we can except to see tomorrow








The weather has cleared off for the next few days and the forecasts show a clear night and a bluebird day tomorrow. We can expect to see far less crashes and some blisteringly hot times. Keep an eye out for elite's, Wyn Masters, Sam Blenkinsop and Keegan Wright as they fight it out...

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MENTIONS:@Josh-Malmo-Photography / @440mtbpark

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