Pt 2 is actually race one from the Week of Wonder down under in Queenstown New Zealand. Race two was the Really Railing Rally Race which was here.

It’s all been organised by Dirt Columist Seb Kemp, here’s his report below.

I have to say that i have never ever pushed my body anywhere near what i had to at the weekend. a truly vicious and yet sublime event. my lungs are half filled with dust, my back is rooted, my legs and arms want a holiday from the rest of me and my mind is utterly frazzled.

Coronet Peak is a ski field in winter and for 7 weeks each summer is open for mountain bikers. the views arent bad. by the end of the day the top racers would of ridden over 100 km of trail and 8000 metres vertical. here Geoff Small winner of the mens Solo for previous two years ignores the views and keeps the prize in sight.

Yeah yeah yeah, i know what you are thinking, chairlift up and ride down for 6 hours would be easy. no no no trust me on this one for the boys at the sharp end of the racing you need to be supremely fit and have the skills to pay the bills. The course goes down then up then down then up and up and up and down again. Lap times were around 21 minutes for the top boys and then 7 minutes on the lift up. thats only 7 minutes to scoff some grub and take a piss off the lift. i think too many people saw my penis that day.

was he pushed or did he fall? overtaking on the single track was immense fun. most riders were very curteous if they were caught but the most was when a rider crashed in front of you and there was no where to go but over them. sorry to the guy on the Titus in the white power ranger jersey.

the prolific building of Nathan Greenwood is responsible for most of the course that was used on Saturday. Its a beautifully crafted run that winds its way through the tussock. If you are anywhere near Queenstown NZ then get up to Coronet Peak before it closes for the summer. you wont regret it.

Former Scottish DH Champ and now resident of Queenstown, Pangus, has had his sights set on the top spot for over a year at least. he gave up drinking for 14 months to dedicate himself to this event and after 17 laps emerged rather dirty and exhausted but ultimately victorious. he promised that one day this week once he has recovered he will celebrate in old Pang fashion and drown himself in a cask of cheap wine and get unruly.

Photos:James Allen.

Queenstown NZ Week of Wonder mountain bike race with paul angus and seb kemp Pt 2