Transition Bikes first 2011 victory on KORE components

 

RELEASE DATE: (2/7/11)
SOURCE: TRANSITION BIKES

Transition Racing's first 2011 victory.

Bryn Atkinson, 28, (Transition Racing) was the fastest downhiller in qualifying (3:27.89) in the morning, and proved that he was a step above the rest in the final this afternoon, clocking another swift time of 3:28.21 on the wet and slippery track to take the win by eight seconds. Bryn's twenty-one-year-old brother Rhys came through in 3:36.46 to take silver, whilst the much anticipated comeback of Nathan Rennie remained on course. The 2006 world championships bronze medallist notched up another encouraging ride of 3:37.35 to place third overall.

Bryn was thrilled that that the Atkinson brothers went one-two today. "I was stoked. Rhys is riding awesome," said Bryn. "To come down here and race with him when he's been smashing it every week is always a good thing. I push him, he pushes me, we learn a lot from each other. It was pretty difficult conditions today. The mud got pulled onto the rocks and logs and made it really slippery, especially in the final. It was nice to make it down the hill because it was pretty technical."

Fastest qualifier and outright favourite Jill Kintner (Transition Racing) clipped a rock in her final run and had a major crash. She was able to finish out her run albiet a few mechanicals on the way down. She smashed her helmet pretty good, and was a bit banged up but ok considering the severity of the fall. She still managed a seventh place in 4:52.18. In the women's elite finals, Leonie Picton took the honours in a time of 4:15.35, ahead of Julia Boer in 4:21.07 and Emma McNaughton in 4:30.01.

"Could have lived without clipping a rock with my pedal and getting ejected on the fastest bit of the track. I'm a bit sore, but happy I'm ok and so stoked for Bryn!"