Local cyclist “Eddie the eagle” is leading the men’s solo category in The Prospector MTB race with the fastest individual times on two days of the three day event.

Dunstan High School student Eddie Adams, (17) said he was happy with the outcome of the “tough and fast” ride in Earnscleugh. He completed the stage in two hours and 49 minutes. 

“I managed to stay with these guys (the top two men’s teams), but they got away from me at the top by Castle Rock. So, I put the seat down, took the brakes off and gassed it down the downhill. Caught up with them at the bottom somehow. But on the next big climb they got a gap a third of the way up and I was battling out there on my own.”

Eddie riding with the leading men’s teams during stage one. PHOTO: AuthenticAs

Eddie and the legendary views of the Clyde downhill section. PHOTO: AuthenticAs 

“I’m looking forward to tomorrow's stage on Matangi…, I can't wait for a bit more single track. I can’t give away too much info on my plan for [Sunday] but I’m hoping for a good day.

In the men’s teams Olympian and national champion Anton Cooper and teammate Ethan Rose retained their lead after day two, just over a minute ahead of their rivals Craig Oliver and Josh Burnett.

Third placed male team is Jeremy Forlong and Mike Sangster, who are veterans of the Prospector and showed class and fitness posting a time of three hours and 11 minutes.

Mary-Ann Moller leads the women’s solo field with a time of three hours 39 minutes.

Last year’s Prospector champion Sarah Ward Gilbert and teammate Rebecca Kingsford are leading in the women’s category over second placed Amélie Mackay and Maria Laurie.

In the mixed teams Mary Gary and Hamish Peter had a strong day in their leaders jerseys, keeping their top spot and making it into the top ten overall.

Leading mixed team of Mary Gary (in front) and Hamish Peter. PHOTO: AuthenticAs

Mountain Bikers of Alexandra (MOA) president Andrew Dowling is riding with local teammate Nick Mannix. They placed sixth in the male grand masters category for stage one with a time of four hours and 11 minutes.

PIctured are (from left) Nick Mannix and Andrew Dowling. PHOTO: Supplied 

Andrew said they were pleased with their strong day on Earnscleugh and there were good chats between a great bunch of riders out on the course.

“We didn’t really know how we would get on with those grunty climbs. Awesome views but [it was] pretty chilly there for a while.

“We’re going well and keeping the big names honest. [There is] great farmland and we went past some green grass. I almost stopped to bring some home.”

Andrew said their legs were spent so he was resting and recovering ahead of Sunday’s racing. 

Pictured are (from left) Jimmy Pollard and Bradley Harris, a men's relay team, who grew up in Central. PHOTO: AuthenticAs

Yesterday’s course was on Earnscleugh Station and involved 56km and 1950m elevation gain. Today, stage two is set at Alexandra’s Matangi Station’s steep, rocky and technical trails and has 1800m elevation, and is 58 km long. 

The Central App will bring you a wrap on the final event results on Monday morning.

Read more: Local lad in contention after first day of The Prospector race