Sam Blenkinsop wins world title

Whanganui's Sam Blenkinsop getting cheeky during Sunday's Crankworx Air DH event in Canada.
PHOTO / Keith Phunkt Valentine

Whanganui-born and bred mountain bike racer Sam Blenkinsop (former WHS student) celebrated one of his best seasons yet with a world title at the Canadian Open Downhill track at Crankworx Whistler on Sunday.

Sharing the overall season podium with elite female winner, Australian Tracey Hannah, Blenkinsop who, on top of becoming the Crankworx Downhill Champion, also earned the title of King of Crankworx 2018.

The Kiwi finished the day in fourth place in the Canadian Open, wrapping up a season that included two wins at Crankworx Rotorua, a second in Innsbruck, and a fifth place finish in Les Gets for the Crankworx World Tour title.

And while he expressed slight disappointment at having just missed Sunday's podium, he said to finally clinch the King title after a couple years of coming close was "a pretty sweet way to end the season."

"After Rotorua I felt like I had a pretty good points lead so I was like, 'Well, might as well keep going and try and do as many events as I can,'" Blenkinsop said.

"To come away with the win at the end of the season is awesome. And also the downhill overall…It just gets you pumped up and more excited for next year, for all the Crankworx events.

"I always really enjoy the downhills at Crankworx events. They're always the best tracks, always fresh, and the crowd's always awesome, so it's always a big thing for me to come to Crankworx because it's just so sick."

The King title earns him a bonus $20,000.

The 27-year-old is part of the strong Norco Factory Racing team and is now off to La Bresse, France for the World Cup competition.

By Iain Hyndman
Wanganui Chronicle 22/8/18