Back To Back Wins For Leov In NZ 12.2.2011
Today saw Round 5 of the NZ Cup on the new course in Nelson, and fresh after his win the week before at Kaka Hill, Justin Leov (Trek World Racing) took his second trip to the top step.
After practice on the new track, Justin said: "Again it's super hot here, and there's dust a foot deep covering a lot of the steeper sections of the course. Arm pump was an issue today and managing energy tomorrow will be key. I rode (Maxxis) Wetscreams today because of all the off-camber and loose conditions, and it worked out pretty good. It's going to be a sketchy race run in these conditions and over 5 mins for the winning time I'd say."
Full results are not yet available, but Justin called 23 Degrees straight after the win. "Just won again, two in a row, man that was tough today. Really happy with the two wins and looking forward to doing some testing in the coming weeks."
Last week saw big margins on the podium, for a race also in hot 30+ degrees conditions, that had its fair share of carnage. Wyn Masters the most notable rider out with a fractured arm.
After Round 4, Justin said, "I was feeling awesome all through practice, my bike felt dialled in and I was in a great head-space for the race. In seeding I was first rider down in elite men and I caught a rider in a slower category. I didn't take too long to get past and although I knew it lost some time, I was disappointed to seed 6th and be a long way back from Cameron (Cole), so I knew a comfortable run in the final wasn't going to happen. I knew going up that I had to ride like a World Cup and that's what I did. I took a few more risks and made sure to really push hard with my exit speed out of all the corners. I had a time goal of doing a 3.12 and I smashed that time with a 3.07. It definitely was a faster pace than I expected from the other riders and I guess that goes to show how fast the kiwi riders are these days".
