Craig Oliver
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Information
Age: 13
Sponsorship: Cross Country MTB
Season Goals: To gain experience in mountain biking and to compete to a high standard, support the team and enjoy myself.
Other sports interests: Cross country running, Athletics, Duathlons and Rugby.
Best results: 1st U15 South Island Cup Series 2009, 1st U15 National MTB Championships 2009.
Favourite ride/ tracks: Craigieburn Forest and Hanmer Springs 12 hour track.
Average weekly training/riding: Riding once a week, increasing to three times after rugby and cross country have finished for the year, running three times a week and rugby training and playing currently two. Total training is six days a week for all sports.
My Bikes: 2009 Giant XTC 1
Race Reports
NZ South Island Cup Round 3 Nelson January 23rd Nelson
It was raining all the way up to Nelson and I knew this was going to be the same as the Nationals last year, wet and very muddy. We did a practice lap in the rain; the track was a little longer than the Nationals as they continued the track up the hill much further. We washed the bikes and got them ready for the race. Race day was drizzly but drier and I stuck with the Aspen tyres which worked better than I had expected, an Advantage may have been the tyre for here? Sean made the best of the start again and was about 40 seconds in front of me at the end of the first lap of three; the race was only three laps because of the muddy conditions. I worked hard on the pinch climbs and the rooty muddy sections around the track and closed the gap and was catching him steadily, on the last climb on the last lap I tried to pass twice and on the second time just before entering the single track we had a coming together and I ended up on the ground, my chain had come off and when I got back on and started to chase again he had too much of a lead to catch back up. I was pleased with my race and did finish second on the day.
NZ South Island Cup Round 2 Dunedin January 16th 2010
We travelled down on Friday, did a practice lap in the afternoon and raced on Saturday. It had been raining all week in Dunedin and the track was very slippery on Friday and I thought I may have to change the Aspens for another tyre with deeper knobs, but on race day the track had dried out a bit and I went with the Aspen which was a good choice again. The track was 6.5kms long and took about 25 minutes a lap which we had to do four of. The start was on a very grassy playing field and then onto a shingle walking track, I was third at the start again and got up to second where I stayed for a long time. Sean was a little too strong on the up hills and I could not get passed him on the downhill parts even though I was faster, so was Charlie Murray and when we did get passed we pulled a gap on him quickly.The track had everything to make it a great mountain biking course, tricky tree root sections, greasy down hills the lot. I finished first and now was looking forward to the last round in Nelson.
NZ South Island Cup Round 1 Living Springs January 10th 2010
I had got home from holiday only a few days before and was really looking forward to the race. I have moved up to the U17s this year and there was going to be some very good riders competing. The day was fine and the track very hard and fast and an extra loop had been added to the bottom of the course where the race start/finish was. I got off to a good start and arrived in third place at the beginning of the steep climbs. By the top of the climb I was in second spot and feeling good, the down hills have great switch backs which the Maxxis Aspen tyres I was using were giving me plenty of grip on. There were some creek crossings with and without bridges and some rocky and rooty sections. On the third lap I managed to get pass Sean Hambrook who was leading, I took on some more Peak fuel and got a little break on him, we had to do four laps, each taking about twenty minutes, I finished first and was very happy with my result.
Hanmer Hammerhead 6th December 2009
Luckily for me there was a U15 expert class and they only had to do two laps of the challenging course, the other expert classes had to do three. I was a little weary after having ridden the festival the day before but after my warm up I felt good and went to the start line, I got off ok and soon was working hard on the big climbs and was really looking forward to the single track down hills. The track was quite a bit harder than last year and I was pleased to finish the race in first place. All the Pushbike riders (eight of us) all rode very well and it was an enjoyable day. I had fitted the New Maxxis Aspen XC tyre to my bike for this race and was more than happy with how it held on to the different surfaces around the Hanmer tracks, I used the Peak fuel Hydration formula and their Energy Gel which worked wonders. My next race will be the first round of the South Island Cup on the 10 Jan 2010 so lots of training to be done.
Festival of Cycling 5th December 2009
I got dropped off at the start with my brother as mum and dad were marshalling at the top of Rapaki. We meet Richard and the other Pushbike riders, did a warm up and got ready for the start. I rode in the Recreational Challenge which started just behind the Elite riders at the same time. To my surprise I managed to stay with the main bunch all the way to Rapaki and only dropped a little on the way up the hill. At the top I was tenth and started the single track in good nick and was riding well all the way to the Greenwood track, just before the end of the track I hit a rock on the wrong angle and burped my front tyre and had to put a tube in it (thanks to the guys that helped me) I finished the race in second in class(U19).The event was awesome and look forward to more riders doing it next year, the Peak fuel and Maxxis tyres helped me a lot.
Longbeach Coastal Challenge 29th November 2009
The race was a 35km long lap, and surprisingly a lot more interesting than people had said it was going to be. There was a beach front section, some small river crossings that were very soft and hard work riding on, many riders walked their bikes on these sections, and the climbs were like terraces, short, sharp and steep. I got off to a good start and it did not take long to sort out the front bunch of riders, I was in the second bunch of about six and rode with them most of the way. Three quarters through the race the bunch went down to four and I was still hanging on, when we got to the last river crossing I went for it and managed to ride it all and when back out on to the last stretch, about 1.5kms to go I gave everything I had left and managed to hold the other three rides off to the end. I finished third in my class (U19) sixth overall, the Maxxis Crossmark tyres worked well and the Peak fuel gave me a good supply of energy.
Timaru 12hr 31st October 2009
I was looking forward to this event as I rode part of the track in the South Island cup race earlier in the year. The track was a little easier to ride but still just enjoyable, a good amount of single track, lots of places to pass and the climbs were a good gradient. The tyres I chose were perfect for the day - Maxxis crossmarks, fast rolling but with plenty of grip. Logan and Anton got the team off to a great start and then Taylor, Ollie and myself all rode well and did our job with consistent lap times, we were having a real battle with the Cycleways team until one of them punctured and then another crashed. I was more than happy to have ridden a total of seven laps, all within a minute of each other, The Peak fuel products worked well and mums food tasted good, I would recommend this event to all that like 12 hours.
Clarkville Classic Duathlon 18th October 2009
This event was a fundraiser for the Clarkville School and was held over a 21km cycle on the Waimakariri river mountain bike tracks and then a 5.7 km run through farm land and tarseal and shingle roads. There was a good turn out even though the weather was a little wet and cold. I turned 14 in August so I was old enough to do the event. The bike ride was first and I got off to a good start trying to keep with the leading bunch, two or three of the faster riders got away a little on the road to the single track, but I managed to catch up some on the tracks and then followed them all the way back to the road section where I dropped off the back, I then thought I had better save some energy for the run. I finished the bike in about eighth, but I did not know how many competitors were in teams. On the run I was only passed by one runner and I passed eight, that meant I finish the event in second place, but the runner that passed me was in a team so I got first under 19 and first overall which I was more than happy with. I will try and talk some of the others in the Pushbike team to do this next year (including you Richard).
Giant McLean’s Island 12 hour 10th Oct 2009
Lucky the weather man does not get it right all the time otherwise we would of all got wet arses, but he was wrong and the day turned out fine and the track dried out good which all made for an interesting days racing. The new track this year worked better than I expected and with not too much stop bank in it the big guys did not get to much of an advantage, our team was the same as last year and after doing paper, scissors, rock to see who was going to start, Brad was the winner, and he got the team of to a flier and we continued on from there. The day went by without a hitch, Richard kept everyone’s bikes in perfect running order and all the parents made the day go smoothly. When riding, the traffic was not to bad to pass and I only had one moment that I thought I had over cooked it in the burm out of the under pass, luckily by Maxxis Crossmarks tyres held on and I stayed on my bike. The Peak fuel recovery formula worked its magic as I got to complete 6 laps; the team finished first in the junior class and first overall, well done boys. Thanks to everybody that made it such an awesome day.
Cheviot Hills 20th September 2009
The first race of the season and the first race on my new Giant XTC1 have moved up from a XS to a Small frame this year. I did not ride this event last year and when arriving and having a look around I knew it was going to be fun. I rode a practice lap (7 km) and picked a few lines where pasting would be easy. I competed in the junior under 19 expert class we had to do 4 laps so pacing myself was going to be important. The track had all that is needed for a fun course, up and down hills, grassy paddocks, 4WD tracks and some single track as well. My start was not great (something to work on) but as the race went on I settled into it and finished strong, 3rd in class and 10th overall, I was very happy with this and the hole day was great and will return next year. My Maxxis Crossmark tyres were great and the peak fuel kept me going. I highly recommend this track and event; it caters for everyone and is in an awesome setting.
Yahoo Round 4 Canterbury XC Series 3rd May 2009
This was the last race of the Canterbury XC Series and it was going to decide the overall winner with three or four riders still able to win the title in the U15 expert class. The expert classes had to do two laps of the track with all the rain the week before it was going to be tough. With a long uphill start before a good downhill in to the river and then another climb and then single track and more climbing before the great downhill through the pine trees I decided that a steady approach was called for in this race as it was going to take about 2 and a half hours. My main competition were off to a flying start and got a bit in front of me, but I could always see them, when in the pine tree downhill it was as dark as I don't know what and as slippery as anything and I was pleased to see the four wheel drive track that takes you back down to the river and out to some more very muddy single track which was hard work. Unfortunately Shaun Hambrook who was leading my class got a flat tyre and could not finish the race but I still had Ben Plumtree, Tayla Harrison and Charlie Murray to catch and pass. I was slowly doing this and when Tayla did not start his second lap I was even more determined to pass the others. I caught up to Charlie and then Ben and we changed spots a few times before we got to the last of the single track and climbs. I went as hard as I could and when buggered I thought if he’s still just behind me that was it, I looked, he had dropped back I was heading home for the win and the overall title in the U15 expert class. When I crossed the finish line I was stoked with the ride that I had put in as it was the hardest ride of the season by far. It was and is a great event. Thanks to Pushbikes for sponsoring and running the race, to Peak fuel for a great product that I have used throughout the season, Maxxis tyres, Richard Allin, Paul Cooper, Mum and Dad and to anyone else that made this season as good as it has been.
NZ Secondary Schools MTB Championships 18th & 19th April 2009
This was to be another away trip; we were heading to Levin, which I was very much looking forward to. The NZ Secondary Schools is held in age groups U14 U15 U16 and U19 there is a cross country race an uphill and a downhill, to qualify for the overall title you had to ride in them all. The field for the U14 which I was riding in had about 45 entries so I was expecting some tough competition and that is what I got. The cross country race was on the Saturday and the uphill and downhill races on the Sunday. The riders that I had beaten at the Nationals were all there along with many other good riders, the track was only about 3.5 kms long and we had to do three laps so it was going to be fast and furious and it was. The start was in a grassy paddock with a good climb and very rough, then onto a four wheel drive track which took you to a single track that zig zagged through pine trees,. At this point you were at the top, you then started to head down hill along some tree rooted and rutted tracks and some good burms out onto the big open paddock and back to the start/finish. By the end of the first lap I had worked my way to the front and was in a good battle with two other boys from the North Island we were jostling for positions during the second lap and when starting the third lap I was in the front and rode hard to the end getting to the finish line about 20 seconds ahead of the others. After a good feed and a night’s sleep I was ready for the uphill race. It was 2.5 kms on the access road to where the downhill race started. The other boys must have put in as much effort as I had in the cross country race as I was surprised but happy to of got to the top in first spot. The downhill followed soon after the uphill and with only riding my Giant XTC cross country bike I did not think the overall title was within my reach, as some of the other boys had changed bikes for this event. Luckily some of the down hillers had not entered the other races and that meant a top ten finish in the overall entries would give me a chance for the title. I finished eighth and bet the second place getter by only two points. The trip was very successful and enjoyable thanks to Pushbikes for the use of their van, the Coopers for organizing the trip and Ground Effects for the neat top that I won. I also came home with two gold medals for winning the cross country and uphill races and the overall winner’s trophy.
Hanmer 12 Hour 4th April 2009
On Friday night when I meet up with the team, I was surprised to hear the news that we were one team member short as Tayla had broken his thumb. With 4 instead of 5 riders it was going to be a harder day. When I arrived at the venue the grass was white with frost but that soon went and the day turned out to be perfect. The order of riders was Logan to start followed by Anton, Brad and me, Logan got the team off to a good start and then Anton blasted around, Brad was even a few seconds faster and then it was my turn, I had a good first lap, one of eight I ended up doing, I was a little surprised with my lap times all either 21 or 22 minutes, a bit slower than the others by a minute or two but I was very consistent and rode as good as I could have wanted. The other guys amaze me at their speed and their riding ability and are teaching me a lot with lines to ride and tactics while riding (thanks guys) The mechanic (Richard) and support team Paul and the other parents made the day run smoothly and at the end we finished Not only first in our class (Juniors) but first overall. I used the Peak fuel Hydration sports drink in my drink bottle and had Peak fuel Recovery formula after every lap and I am sure this helped me with my good times along with the Maxxis tyres and my Giant XTC bike. This event is so much fun and I hope it will be on again next year.
Living Springs - Round 3 Canterbury Cross Country Summer Series 28 March 2009
It was good to have ridden the track the week before in the Huxter Schools race. So I knew what the track was going to be like and what I had to do to beat the other riders in the U15 expert class. The race started at the top point of the track, all the expert riders went off together on a dummy start and then onto the track proper, I got off to a pretty good start and entered the first downhill single track well positioned, it has a lot of manmade burms and some good bridges and rocky sections.
At the bottom of the track there is a long 4wd up hill, then into the pine trees and more uphill single track back to the top. I had to do four laps and at the end of the third lap I was in front of the other U15 riders but Tayla my team mate was pushing me hard, I think I was a little faster on the downhill sections, but with the long uphill to finish I knew it was going to be a battle to beat him to the finish. I know I made him work hard and he rode well to finish first and I ended up second which I was happy with as in the earlier round he had got away on me, but this time I was only a few seconds behind him.
This track is one to go and ride if you are a mountain biker it has the lot.
National MTB Championships XC Nelson 28th February 2009
I was really looking forward to the Nationals with more competition and another new track to ride, Anton's dad Paul took the team up the weekend before for some practice over the track which paid off as it was that wet and muddy it was difficult to do too much the days before the race. The track was very close to the Brook St motor camp on the left up amongst pine trees and along the water pipeline tracks. There were many zig zags, steep climbs; most of the track was single track but still lots of places to pass. On the morning of the race it was raining and that was going to make the race even more interesting, I love the slippery conditions so I was happy and with my Maxxis Advantages on my new wheel set I just knew it was going to be a good day. And it was I got a good start and was second to the top of the road but soon passed the rider in front and stayed there to the finish winning by two minutes, I was glad my race was in the morning and one of the first as the track cut up a lot and got muddier as more riders went around. I am stroked to be the Under 15 National Champion and the South Island Cup title holder for 2009 and I am looking forward to doing it all again next season. Big thanks to my sponsor Richard Allin of Push bikes and Maxxis tyres, Peak fuel, Mum and Dad and Paul Copper for all their help.
Coronet Peak Round 3 South Island Cup 15th February 2009
I travelled with the team to the third and final round of the series, it was at Coronet Peak, we travelled down to Queenstown Friday after school, had a good trip even though it was a long way the time seem to go fast. With snow in Queenstown earlier in the week it was a bit cool which was good and on Saturday we all practiced on the track with no miss heaps. I had a good feed that night followed by a good sleep.
Sunday race day and everything went pretty much to plan (if I had one) we were started in age groups not all in like at Timaru and this made it a lot easier, the track was that interesting that I didn't have time to think about how hard it was, zig zags up and down hill, rocks, tussocks fast downhill the lot it was awesome the race was over before I wanted. I finished first and that was great.
The whole team did really well and the trip was neat thanks to Richard and Paul.
Timaru Round 2 South Island Cup 8th February 2009
Centennial Park Timaru was the venue for the second round of the series, when I arrived at the park with my family it was obvious the day was going to be very hot (ended up at 35 degrees) so I was pleased that my race was only over two 13 km laps . The team had ridden the track the week before on the way to Dunedin so only a quick look around and short warm up was needed. The start was all in so that made it very interesting into the first corner and being new to it all I got pushed around and ended back down the field a bit. The first lap was very hard going, there were lots of steep short climbs, good single tracks, drop offs, nice smooth walking tracks a little of everything. I came right on the second lap and rode hard all the way to the finish line. I am very much looking forward to riding there again in cooler temperatures. I finished first in my class and generally happy with my ride, my bike went well again on the Maxxis Crossmark tyres and the peak fuel kept me hydrated.
Round 1 South Island Cup Dunedin February 1st 2009
The race took place on the Otago Peninsula and was 43kms in distance, the weather report was not looking the best so I decided to use the Maxxis Advantage tyres just in case it was very wet and slippery, it was a little damp but the rain did not come, the tyres worked well on the grassy tracks. All the South Island Cup riders started off together and it was not long before I found myself riding pretty much by on my own, then I had to stop and take off my jacket as the weather improved and I began to overheat (a good lesson learnt don't ride with a jacket unless it’s really really cold and wet) It was good when some of the sport riders caught me because then I had others around me and that helps with your riding. The wind was very strong and on two occasions I was nearly blown off my bike, there were two hills I had to walk up as it was just as fast as riding and no one else around me was riding. I was very happy to see the end of the race but look forward to do it again next year in better conditions, I finished first in my class.
Vulcaniser Canterbury XC Series January 24th 2009
This ride had all the making of being one of the hardest rides I was going to do this year, Heat, Steep Hills, Lots of technical single track, dust, tree roots and drop offs. It turned out that I was right, hard was the name of the ride. The start was almost a disaster as someone tried to knock me off my bike, so after regaining my balance and starting again I was fairly well back from the other riders in my class. All the climbs seem to be hard and it did not take me long to decide that to finish was the best strategy for this race. I was very happy that I only had to do two laps, Karen ( a member of the Pushbikes team ) and I rode most of the race together until she had to do a third lap and I rode to the finish. I finished third in the under 15 expert, a little further behind the first and second place getters but I was still happy to had completed the race.
Hanmer Hammerhead 7th December 2008
The Hammerhead was the first round of the Canterbury XC series, I travelled up to Hanmer on Saturday morning with my family and attended a Bike NZ Junior training camp, The camp was very interesting and I learnt alot of valuable things, we did some riding skills and tips and some time in the class room. Kashi Leuchs was at the camp and he was great to listen and talk to. The morning of the race I put what I learnt the day before into practise with my warm up, the start was very difficult, a dummy start on the road and then straight onto single track it was abit of follow the leader but still enjoyable. My class had to do two laps of about eleven kms per lap,each with three or four climbs and one very steep climb with neat down hill and many burms and switch backs. It was a awesome track and one I will be going back too. I finished 2nd in the U15 expert class, only 3 second behind the winner, all the Pushbikes Team did very well and I am looking forward to the next round on January 24th.
Moa Hunt November 29th 2008
The Moa Race was a good learning experience, being the longest race that I have done, I got off to a good start up the river and out onto the road . In hindsight I went alittle hard and took me a while to settle into the first climb which went on and on for about 10 kms. I really enjoyed the rest of the race with good four wheel drive tracks to ride and in and out of many gullies which made you work really hard. I had no problems with my Giant XTC bike and my Maxxis tyres worked perfectly. I enjoyed the long down hill towards the end of the race, I was very pleased to see the finish line and was happy with my result 6th junior home and 41st overall. This event was an away trip travelling up to Kaikoura the night before and staying in shearers quarters which made the weekend great fun. Thanks to Richard and all the other members of the Pushbikes Team.
McLean's Island 12 hour Race 11th October 2008
The McLean's Island race was my first 12 hour event with the Pushbikes team and it was a whole heap of fun. I was a little nervous doing my first lap but after that was out of the way the day seem to flow good for the whole team and went quickly. The Maxxis Crossmark tyres that I used were a great choice on the hard and fast track and hung onto the burms well. At the end of the race I felt I had given my best, helping the Team to first place result in the junior section.
South Island Secondary Schools MTB Champs Blenheim 1st-2nd October 2008 This was a two day event and my first ride for Pushbikes, I rode in the year 7/8 class and competed in the cross country and the uphill, year 7/8 were not aloud to enter the downhill race.
The first day was the cross country race it was cold but fine, the track had a good start to it with a climb to the top of the hill (about 2km) half way up was a single track through pine trees then it opened up onto a ridge line until the top. From there on it was more single track around and in and out of two gullies with climbs and descents which was alot of fun to ride, when at the bottom of the hill the track went through a paddock and some more pine trees back to the start, in total about 7.5 kms.
The year 7/8 only had to do one lap and started at the back of the year 9, I got a good start, and was soon passing year 9 riders up the hill, it was difficult to pass on the down hill single track but a few riders did pull over to make it a little easier. I won the race and then decide to go and do another lap for fun.
The next day was the uphill race near Picton, the race was up the access road for the downhill race 3kms long again year 7/8 started at the back of the year 9 it took me 18m 10s to climb and finished first beating many year 9 riders. The downhill was that afternoon and was very exciting to watch of some good crashes and spills.
All the Pushbike riders did very well at this event and it was great to be part of the team.
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