Four-time Olympian Rebecca Henderson dominated round five of the UCI Oceania Continental Series in Cairns on Saturday.
The reigning 13-time Australian champion smashed the elite women's field in scorching conditions at Smithfield MTB Park, while New Zealand Olympian Anton Cooper showed his class to take out the elite men’s race.
Canberra's Henderson took control of the race midway through the first lap after emerging stars Ruby Dobson and Sylvia Dagg’s lightning start.
“Anyone who gets around three or more laps around that course is pretty tough,” Henderson said.
“Ruby and Sylvia took off so fast and I thought, ‘this is good’, they split the race up super early and I found a rhythm after that.
“I know that my shape is really good, I’ve worked really hard, it can look easy from the outside, but it that performance is showing all the hard-work that nobody sees.
“I’m happy to get through, mistake free and hopefully do the same tomorrow.”
It was a statement victory and a chance for Henderson to get some racing ahead of the opening UCI World Cup in South Korea.
“Absolutely roasting today, the sun is out,” she said.
“You can hide a little bit in the trees, but it is really important to not go into the red too much, the fatigue comes super quickly.
“You can go from feeling comfortable and in control, to an explosion.
“This is the last chance to turn the screws in the races and prepare mentally before I compete at the World Cup event, it will be go-time soon.”
New Zealand Olympian Anton Cooper led from start to finish, getting to the first corner in front of the pack and riding away from the field.
The Christchurch rider is keen to return to a course he describes as one of the best he has ridden.
“This event has so much going for it, it is a great venue, there are great places to stay in town, it’s close to the airport, the track is great,” he said.
In the Under 23's Harry Doye and Ruby Taylor took the gold while New Zealand's Millie Junga and Tommy Mollison claimed victory in the junior category.
Sunday will have the sixth and final race of the UCI Oceania Continental Series XCO and also Round 4 of the Downhill competition, with competitors set to launch down iconic sections in Cairns.
Set against the demanding terrain of Smithfield, the final provides a critical benchmark for riders preparing for the international season, with Australia and New Zealand’s top talent looking to secure points before heading to World Cup rounds in Asia and Europe.
Backed by Tourism and Events Queensland, Tourism Tropical North Queensland and Cairns Regional Council, the event showcases elite athletes, emerging talent and mountain bike fans to one of the world’s premier riding destinations.
Round 5 Oceania Continental Series Results
Elite Women XCO:
🥇Rebecca Henderson: 1:28:43.67
🥈 Sarah Tucknott: +05:31.80
🥉 Hillary Bell: -1 LAP
U23 Women XCO
🥇Ruby Taylor: 1:16:52.97
🥈 Ella Menigoz: +03:39.50
🥉 Ruby Dobson: +11:43.50
U19 Women XCO
🥇Millie Junge: 1:02:21.07
🥈Alana Fletcher: +02:12.40
🥉 Dulcie Copeland: +15:15.00
Elite Men XCO
🥇Anton Cooper: 1:25:37.31
🥈Jonathon Noble: -3 LAP
🥉Bailey Devantier-Thomas: -4 LAP
U23 Men XCO
🥇Harry Doye: 1:13:36.33
🥈Joel Dodds: +00:31.60
🥉Eliott Wardle: +02:51.60
U19 Men XCO
🥇Tommy Mollison: 1:04:32.13
🥈Oliver Grande: +02:22.00
🥉Levi Gear: +05:28.10
Full results can be found here.