Rebecca Henderson’s dream start to the season continued in Cairns where she claimed another dominant victory on Sunday to make it a perfect six wins from six starts in the UCI Oceania Continental Series.
It was the perfect preparation for her World Cup season starting in South Korea in two weeks time.
“It is always nice to come here and get the win,” Henderson said.
“I love racing here, the course is really good, it has been a great weekend in Cairns.”
Henderson and Sarah Tucknott were stuck together on the first lap, before the Canberra rider put the foot down and rode away to win by more than five minutes.
Henderson showing the form that took her to her 13th consecutive National title, earlier this year.
“I’m always expected to win, but anything can happen,” she said.
“It is nice riding without the pressure and just working on a few things ahead of upcoming events.”
New Zealand star Anton Cooper dominated round six of the UCI Oceania Continental Series in Cairns, winning the double over the weekend.
In the men’s U23, Harry Doye led and looked set to take out the double for the weekend, until a flat tyre with two laps to go allowed Joel Dodds to overtake and claim victory.
Victoria’s Ruby Taylor took out the double of the women’s U23 race, picking up victories in rounds five and six under scorching skies.
Cairns local Joel Sutherland was fastest all weekend on the world-class downhill course and took out the title on Sunday.
Local knowledge proved the key for Joel Sutherland in the elite men downhill.
Sutherland, who studies dentistry on the footsteps of the Smithfield MTB course, used his local knowledge to his advantage to claim victory in a thrilling finale to the Cairns Rainforest Rumble.
The young star was three seconds faster than the field for the opening split, and extended throughout the course to take a comfortable four second victory.
Brisbane’s Sacha Mills claimed the women’s title in emphatic fashion.
She was eight seconds to the good in the opening section, and showed her class though the iconic rock garden, alien tree and through to the finish 21 seconds faster than the next best.
“Feels pretty good, I feel like I could have pushed myself harder,” she said,
“It was fun. I love Cairns, it is such a pretty place and an amazing track. The key was getting through rock garden and past alien tree. I was happy with my performance.”
Backed by Tourism and Events Queensland, Tourism Tropical North Queensland and Cairns Regional Council, the event showcased elite athletes, emerging talent and mountain bike fans to one of the world’s premier riding destinations.
Round 6 XCO Oceania Continental Series Results
Elite Women XCO
🥇 Rebecca Henderson 1:27:44.81
🥈Sarah Tucknott +05:25.09
🥉Hillary Bell -1 LAP
U23 Women XCO
🥇Ruby Taylor 1:14:15.80
🥈Ella Menigoz +04:01.50
🥉Ruby Dobson -1 LAP
Elite Men XCO
🥇Anton Cooper 1:24:43.00
🥈Jonathon Noble -1 LAP
🥉Daniel Lucas -1 LAP
U23 Men XCO
🥇 Joel Dodds 1:13:24.03
🥈Harry Doye +01:56.50
🥉Eddie Adams +03:57.30
Round 4 Oceania DH Continental Series Results
Elite Women DH:
🥇Sacha Mills 4:13.839
🥈Cassie Voysey +0:21.689
🥉Tracy Esterhuyzen +1:48.572
Elite Men DH:
🥇Joel Sutherland 3:28.898
🥈Will Hynes +0:04.138
🥉Jed Stanton +0:05.800