Over the past week and a half, 18 year old Sam Blenkinsop (Gravity Group) of
New Zealand has been making up for some of the bad luck he's had on the World
Cup circuit this year, with some fine performances in Italy and France.
10 days ago in Ravascletto, Italy, Sam took the win in the final round of the
Italian National Series. He travelled there with compatriots Nathan Rankin,
Glenn Haden and junior Matthew Scoles, from their base in Morzine, France. The
Italian race format has qualifications in the morning, followed by a best of 2
race run format in the afternoon. Sam won all 3 runs.
"The track had heaps of pedalling and was really dusty. We had a good time
there and the Italian races are well organised and fun to do," said Sam last
night after his return from the Avalanche Cup.
In France, Sam took on both the sprint Avalanche Cup in Oz en Oisans, as well
as the famous Megavalanche Cup at the Alpe d'Huez.
The Sprint Avalanche is held mid week with practice on Tuesday and race on
Wednesday. The rain hit practice hard on Tuesday and even though the sun came
out Wednesday, the berm laden track was slick. Glen Haden took the win, with
Sam coming in 3rd, just 0.4sec back on the 4mins course.
The Megavalanche is a classic. With more than 1400 riders from 20 nations
taking part, including top riders like Mick Hannah, Nico Vouilloz and Mickael
Pascal, the super long track that for most people takes an hour plus, is
descended on free ride style bikes due to fact is has large sections of flat
and climbing. Sam only had his Downhill bike on hand for the race, yet despite
this finished an incredible 7th place on his Turner, only 1m 45secs behind the
winner! He was also obviously the first DH bike to cross the line, a long way
ahead of the next. Truly an epic performance showing that his fitness level is
right up there.
"Man that was a tough race. I was one of the first through the opening downhill
sections, but when it hit the climbs and flats, I just lost ground. Not many
riders went past me, but I lost time on the leaders. There were heaps of
uphills. In the final sections of downhill I made up time and was happy it was
over! But I'd do it again for sure."
Results:
Megavalanche
1. Rene Wildhaber (SUI) - 48m 39secs
2. Tomi Misser (ESP) - 49m 17secs
3. Gregory Doucende (FRA) - 49m 33secs
4. Julien Camellini (FRA) - 49m 42secs
5. Mickael Pascal (FRA) - 49m 47secs
6. Franck Parolin (FRA) - 49m 57secs
7. Sam Blenkinsop (NZL) - 50m 25secs
Sprint Avalanche
1. Glenn Haden (NZL) - 4m 20.80secs
2. Fabien Cousinie (FRA) - 4m 21.18secs
3. Sam Blenkinsop (NZL) - 4m 21.24secs
Italian DH Finals
1. Sam Blenkinsop (NZL) - 3m 47.87secs
2. Glenn Haden (NZL) - 3m 49.78secs
3. Alan Beggin (ITA) - 3m 49.94secs
Date:
31/07/2007