Dual World Champion, Jill Kintner (USA) will race the final national round of Mountain Cross in Newcastle tomorrow. The 2005 and 2006 World Championship plans to use the Hunter Valley event to get some practise before a busy overseas season. The 25 year old is looking to make her Australain base in the Blue Mountains and Sunday's event is her first in Australia since winning the rainbow jersey in Rotorua in August.
With her focus on preparation for a tough overseas schedule, Kintner made an official request to race in the elite men’s division. After deliberation, Mountain Bike Australia allowed her the opportunity to race with the elite men. Although Kintner wanted to race entirely in the men’s field, officials declined that request only allowing her to race against the men in the motos or heats.
Kintner will be mixing it with Australia’s best mountain cross riders including the elite men’s series leader, Terrance Scarr (Raby Bay, SYD). The elite men’s race will prove exciting enough with the five top ranked riders within reach of the lead in this final race. Attention is on the series second placed, Alex Lloyd (St Clair, SYD) and 2005 World Junior Downhill Champion, Amiel Cavalier (Wollongong). Bribane’s Adam Nicholson in fourth position and has been gaining extra practise on the Newcastle track. A few riders could upset the rankings with BMX star Luke Madill (Penrith) out to repeat his win in the previous round at Thredbo. Also Spanish rider Ivan Oulego may be keen to repeat his third place in Thredbo.
With a World Championships jersey, Kintner will prove tough for national series leader Caroline Buchanan (Canberra) to beat however. The fifteen year old, Buchanan leads with a comfortable 240 points after winning all three of the previous rounds. Brisbane’s Sarsha Huntington (Bulimba, BRIS) has been the fast improver this season placing second in two of the earlier rounds.
Racing gets underway at 11.30 am with eliminations starting at 2pm and final expected from 3pm.
Elite Men
1 Terrence Scarr (Raby Bay, SYD) 168
2 Alex Lloyd (St Clair, SYD) 144
3 Amiel Cavalier (Wollongong) 110
4 Adam Nicholson (The Gap, BRIS) 105
5 Rick Boyer (Blue Mountains) 91
6 Luke Strom 85
7 Alex Cameron (Liverpool, SYD) 80
7 Luke Madill(Penrith, SYD) 80
9 Christopher Panozzo (Mt Beauty, VIC) 75
10 Randal Huntington 68
Elite Women
1 Caroline Buchanan (Canberra) 240
2 Sarsha Huntington (Bulinba, BRIS) 178
3 Julia Boer 120
4 Michelle Hall 93
5 Grace Ireland (Sydney) 48
Sharon Payne
Media Manager
Mountain Bike Australia
With her focus on preparation for a tough overseas schedule, Kintner made an official request to race in the elite men’s division. After deliberation, Mountain Bike Australia allowed her the opportunity to race with the elite men. Although Kintner wanted to race entirely in the men’s field, officials declined that request only allowing her to race against the men in the motos or heats.
Kintner will be mixing it with Australia’s best mountain cross riders including the elite men’s series leader, Terrance Scarr (Raby Bay, SYD). The elite men’s race will prove exciting enough with the five top ranked riders within reach of the lead in this final race. Attention is on the series second placed, Alex Lloyd (St Clair, SYD) and 2005 World Junior Downhill Champion, Amiel Cavalier (Wollongong). Bribane’s Adam Nicholson in fourth position and has been gaining extra practise on the Newcastle track. A few riders could upset the rankings with BMX star Luke Madill (Penrith) out to repeat his win in the previous round at Thredbo. Also Spanish rider Ivan Oulego may be keen to repeat his third place in Thredbo.
With a World Championships jersey, Kintner will prove tough for national series leader Caroline Buchanan (Canberra) to beat however. The fifteen year old, Buchanan leads with a comfortable 240 points after winning all three of the previous rounds. Brisbane’s Sarsha Huntington (Bulimba, BRIS) has been the fast improver this season placing second in two of the earlier rounds.
Racing gets underway at 11.30 am with eliminations starting at 2pm and final expected from 3pm.
Elite Men
1 Terrence Scarr (Raby Bay, SYD) 168
2 Alex Lloyd (St Clair, SYD) 144
3 Amiel Cavalier (Wollongong) 110
4 Adam Nicholson (The Gap, BRIS) 105
5 Rick Boyer (Blue Mountains) 91
6 Luke Strom 85
7 Alex Cameron (Liverpool, SYD) 80
7 Luke Madill(Penrith, SYD) 80
9 Christopher Panozzo (Mt Beauty, VIC) 75
10 Randal Huntington 68
Elite Women
1 Caroline Buchanan (Canberra) 240
2 Sarsha Huntington (Bulinba, BRIS) 178
3 Julia Boer 120
4 Michelle Hall 93
5 Grace Ireland (Sydney) 48
Sharon Payne
Media Manager
Mountain Bike Australia
