Oliver putting it in the (hurt) bag on one of the Vulcaniser's pinch climbsPhoto Kris Celeste
In his first step up to National level Pro Elite racing, Ventana NZ team rider Oliver Whalley took on 6 grueling laps of the unrelenting Vulcaniser course, held at secenic Mt. Vulcan in Omihi, North Canterbury.
With hot conditions and an even hotter pace off the gun, the racers smoked round the buffed single track. Racers and riders at the weekend event took in the finely crafted singletrack, complete with highlights such as Slimline and the Boar's nest; all creations of Craig, Rebecca and the rest of the McQueens valley MTB club team.
Ventana's loud (and sometimes smokey) presence at the Vulcaniser open day
With the fastest lap time, series winner and local legend Dayle 'whip it out' McLachlan showed the field how it was done, scorching the course in under 19 minutes!
While Oiver's times wern't quite as blistering, the determination required to complete the full course is a credit to his riding, and the experience will surely serve as a platform for his further forays into the upper echelons of the sport.
At the finish line, Oliver reported being 'smoked', a feeling no doubt heightened by the sprint for the line by Queenstown rider Mark Williams, who pipped Oliver for 9th place.
While countless racers thanked the Adventure events team on the podium, no amount of lip service can do justice to the tremendous amount of effort that Craig and Rebecca's team have done for cross country riding in Christchurch. They are tireless organisers of consistently awesome events. Racers from far afield made the long haul drive to the course and were rewarded with an impeccably organised and overwhelmingly fun event on arguably the best race course in the country.
Event organisation is only part of it, and you will find this MTB dream team at build days throughout the year, giving so much back to the sport that we all love.
So next time you pedal out to one of their events, give them a pat on the back, or lend a hand with a shovel. They are truly an inspiration to us all!
Mountain Pedaler out...
Ventana's loud (and sometimes smokey) presence at the Vulcaniser open dayWith the fastest lap time, series winner and local legend Dayle 'whip it out' McLachlan showed the field how it was done, scorching the course in under 19 minutes!
While Oiver's times wern't quite as blistering, the determination required to complete the full course is a credit to his riding, and the experience will surely serve as a platform for his further forays into the upper echelons of the sport.
At the finish line, Oliver reported being 'smoked', a feeling no doubt heightened by the sprint for the line by Queenstown rider Mark Williams, who pipped Oliver for 9th place.
While countless racers thanked the Adventure events team on the podium, no amount of lip service can do justice to the tremendous amount of effort that Craig and Rebecca's team have done for cross country riding in Christchurch. They are tireless organisers of consistently awesome events. Racers from far afield made the long haul drive to the course and were rewarded with an impeccably organised and overwhelmingly fun event on arguably the best race course in the country.
Event organisation is only part of it, and you will find this MTB dream team at build days throughout the year, giving so much back to the sport that we all love.
So next time you pedal out to one of their events, give them a pat on the back, or lend a hand with a shovel. They are truly an inspiration to us all!
Mountain Pedaler out...
