Monday, October 04, 2004
Kiwis on top
New Zealand has two new cycling world champions after Queenstown teenager Scarlett Hagen claimed the world junior downhill mountain-biking title and Vanessa Quin won the open women's title in Les Gets, France.
Scarlett, 17, was the leading contender for the title after coming second in her first attempt at the title last year and in an outstanding performance, she finished nearly 11 seconds ahead of her closest rival. Her course time was only beaten by women's champion, Vanessa.
For the past six years, Vanessa Quin has competed professionally in New Zealand each summer and then in Europe during the New Zealand winter; racing for Dirt Magazine's professional team since 2002.
Both cyclists must be relishing the prospect of competing in the 2006 UCI World Mountain Bike Championships at Mount Ngongotaha, Rotorua, New Zealand.
Scarlett, 17, was the leading contender for the title after coming second in her first attempt at the title last year and in an outstanding performance, she finished nearly 11 seconds ahead of her closest rival. Her course time was only beaten by women's champion, Vanessa.
For the past six years, Vanessa Quin has competed professionally in New Zealand each summer and then in Europe during the New Zealand winter; racing for Dirt Magazine's professional team since 2002.
Both cyclists must be relishing the prospect of competing in the 2006 UCI World Mountain Bike Championships at Mount Ngongotaha, Rotorua, New Zealand.
