Justin Leov Wins Round 2 of the NZMTB Cup

Trek World Racing's Justin Leov took his first win of the 2010 season last weekend in the 2nd round of the NZMTB cup which was held in Dunedin, a city Justin has recently made his new home. He's now looking forward to another win this weekend Nelson. Close racing at Round 1 in Christchurch saw Sam Blenkinsop take the win, but the Lapierre rider was out early in practice at Round 2 with a suspected broken wrist. The course is considered the most technical in New Zealand and has a rock garden to rival any World Cup course that was made trickier after weeks of rain prior to the event. In qualifying, reigning Junior World Champion Brook MacDonald set the fastest time, a second faster than Justin, with 2006 Junior World Champion Cameron Cole in 3rd. Justin said: "I was unhappy with my riding in the seeding run. I didn't feel like I pushed myself hard enough, so after a re-think I got myself in the right mindset for the race run." Conditions for the race were unusual with the start house and top third of the course shrouded in thick fog and misty drizzle. Then there was a clear cut line where riders appeared into clear skies and warm sunshine on a dry course for the bottom two thirds. Times were a lot faster in the final with Cole going into the hotseat with a time 5 seconds faster than his qualifying. Justin was the next to appear, lopping a massive 7 seconds off his qualifying, and two seconds faster than Cole, giving him the hotseat. "My run felt like the one I was hoping for; really smooth up top and in the rock garden I was fully committed and I got through it the best I had all week. After getting through that section so cleanly, it set the tone for the rest of my run. Taking the hotseat I just waited to see if Brook could better it, which he didn't and came in 3rd. I was not so concerned with the race result, at this point in time I'm more looking at how my riding is going in race runs. I'm happy with this one for sure." The Oceania Continental Championships will be held on this course in March, and Justin is keen to try again for another win on his adopted home track. This coming weekend sees the next round in Nelson, which is the last stop in the South Island before the series heads up to the North Island. TV News coverage of Round 2: www.3news.co.nz For further info on Trek World Racing: www.trekbikes.com/twr