Alexandra’s up and coming mountain bikers Eddie Adams and Cooper Millwood enjoyed Europe’s culture, “massive mountains” and a rollercoaster of emotions and results after travelling and competing with the world’s best.

Eddie (18) and dad Todd spent 10 weeks away, half of it based in a camper van.

Cooper (17) was away for eight weeks with two other Kiwi mountain bikers “doing Air BnBs and in a van . . . on a budget.”

Cooper competed in the under-21 mountain biking (MTB) enduro world series held in Austria, France and Switzerland. 

He financed his trip on his own, after leaving school to work and finish his Year 13 coursework online.

Cooper Millwood competed in Combloux France. PHOTO: Clancy Kelly

His first qualifying race in Leogang, Austria, on June 7 saw him top the podium.

“I wasn't expecting it, I was hoping for top five.” 

The next two races were in the French and Swiss Alps, the first in Combloux, France, and then a final race was in Bellwald, Valais, in Switzerland.

Each race was contested by about 60 enduro riders from across the globe including the European nations, Asia, the United States, Australia and Canada.

Unfortunately, Cooper got sick and illness including heat stroke impacted his second race where he finished with time penalties.

In Switzerland the race was “really physical” with a significant amount of climbing.

“I had two good stages, 16th in one was my stage best . . . then I had a mechanical and ended up with a mid-pack finish.”

Cooper said he gained heaps of knowledge and now knows he wants to stay in the industry, work where [he] can and go over every summer.

“I want to improve myself and do it for a living.”

His trip home was longer than anticipated with a cancelled flight forcing an unplanned overnight stay at Zurich airport, and windy conditions in Queenstown resulting in his flight turning around and landing back in Auckland, where he had another extra night’s stay.

Eddie rode in the under 18 MTB cross country (XC) races in Spain, France, and Switzerland, and qualified for the UCI MTB Junior World Championships in Andorra. 

One of his highlights was getting to be alongside the action during the Tour de France.

“We were among thousands of people watching the Tour de France. We extended our van hire by two days to go and watch it.  

“We parked up in a paddock, it was chocker, there was no space, and it was a party all night.”

Other moments that will stay with Eddie are finishing sixth in a really muddy race in Spain and spending time training and being mentored by New Zealand Olympic cyclist Sam Gaze.

Eddie's preparations, including training at altitude, prior to the Junior World Championship race in Andorra went well but a series of unlucky events forced him to pull out of the race.

Eddie in action. PHOTO: Supplied

“[Limited] UCI points put me back in the ninth row [for the start], that meant there were 25 people behind me and 60 in front.

“It was a battle at the start, elbows out. I got caught behind a crash and a big cloud of dust . . . I was nearly last and at the back after the first lap. 

“I got a flat on the main downhill, got the repair . . . and then another flat.”

He completed two and half laps of the five he was supposed to.

“If I had a good day, I could have been right up there . . . there are more years to come. I know juniors doesn't define you.”

A photo depicting the 120 people on the track at Pal Arinsal, Andorra. PHOTO: Supplied

The “super aggressive” racing was a bit to get used to, but Eddie said he’ll be back, aiming for the World Championships in Switzerland next year in the under-23 category.

Next up, and closer to home, he is competing in the Junior Tour of Southland, from October 4-6, and the National School MTB nationals in Christchurch, from October 7-10.  

Both Eddie and Cooper thanked their families and the community for their support. 

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