Wilcox claims North Island title

Manawatu¯ rider Josie Wilcox has chalked up another title on her home trails, winning the North Island cross-country title at Arapuke Forest Park.

Wilcox comfortably won the elite women’s race on dusty trails at Kahuterawa, near Linton, on Sunday, following on from the Arapuke Classic title she won in January.

Wilcox is from Nelson, but studied at the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma in the United States and has been living in Manawatu¯ for the past couple of years.

Sam Shaw from Rotorua won the elite men’s competition, beating Josh Burnett (Invercargill) and Brendon Sharratt (Whanganui).

Woodville’s Gareth Cannon, who returned after a long lay off riding, finished ninth.

There were also age-grade competitions, as well as an elite grade, a senior grade for non-elite riders and three masters grades.

There was a jersey for the winner of each grade and a few Manawatu¯ Mountain Bike Club Members won jerseys.

Manawatu¯ ’s Adam Francis was second in the under-17 race but because he was the first North Island rider he received the jersey.

Shanan Whitlock, a club member from Whanganui won the masters 1 grade, Joe Skerman won the masters 2 grade.

WARWICK SMITH/STUFF Ethan Rose, left, has Adam Francis hot on his heels during the under-17 race at the North Island cross-country championships at Arapuke Forest Park.