MASS-START MOUNTAIN BIKE EVENT  HIT NEW ZEALAND TRACKS FOR THE FIRST TIME

Downhill mountain bike event Red Bull Foxhunt took place for the first time in New Zealand at Cardrona, Wanaka on Saturday, 11 February this year with 100 riders coming together for the mass-start enduro race.

The internationally renowned race saw Red Bull athletes and world-leading mountain bikers Brook ‘The Bulldog’ Macdonald, Jess Blewitt and Remy Morton challenge 100 riders from across Aotearoa to a downhill race like no other where they came in as ‘the foxes’ to chase their ‘prey’ to the finish line.

The race kicked off at 4.30 pm on a 9.5km course, with the riders lined up at the top of Cardrona for the mass start while the foxes were set several metres back to chase the riders in a downhill cross-country MTB race.

In an impressive 13 minutes and 8 seconds, Sean McCarroll was first to the finish line, taking out first place and was followed by Gareth Burgees and Sam Blenkinsop – each beating foxes Brook Macdonald and Remy Morton.

While the foxes were overtaken, Brook Macdonald was buzzing after the race: ‘’Red Bull Foxhunt was epic. It was awesome to go head-to-head against some of New Zealand’s best and the atmosphere was next-level. Next year I’ll be gunning to take first place.’’

With a strong line-up of female riders, Louise Ferguson led the pack coming in at 14 minutes and 30 seconds followed by Lynette Deacon and Emma Olofsson.

Red Bull Foxhunt fox and 20-year-old New Zealand Downhill Champion Jess Blewitt was the second woman to cross the finish line and was thrilled to get amongst.

‘’That was pretty wild. There are some talented riders in there, and that course was intense – Louise did an impressive job with that finish time. The energy throughout the whole day and race was insane!’’ Jess said.

The 100 riders that took part in Red Bull Foxhunt showcased the talent and energy in New Zealand’s mountain bike scene and was a day of carnage, excitement and fun.

To celebrate the race, an open-door afterparty took place at Yonder, Queenstown with performances by PDiggs and Sambora.

The results

• Fastest race time: 13:08:99
• Slowest race time: 24:53.26

Winners male:

1. Sean McCarroll – 13:08:99
2. Gareth Burgees – 13:26:36
3. Sam Blenkinsop – 13:41:91

Winners female:

1. Louise Ferguson – 14:30:60
2. Lynette Deacon – 16:36:46
3. Emma Olofsson – 16:59:97

The foxes:

• Remy Morton – placed 17^thmen’s – 13:33:85
• Brook Macdonald – placed 20^thmen’s – 15:09:52
• Jess Blewitt – placed 2^ndwomen’s – 16:06:40