Dunstan High School year 12 student Eddie Adams is racing towards the top of his game after three podiums finishes in recent cycling events.

Eddie topped the New Zealand School Mountain Bike Championships (NZSMTBC) with the highest points scored in cross country (XC), downhill and enduro. He also won Linger and Die XC and came third in the under 19 Junior Tour of Southland.

“Winning the schools overall was a bit of a surprise, it’s usually won by downhillers as it's easier for them to get a lot of points,” Eddie said.

He has been taking part in the event since he was in year eight and this is the first time he has stood on the podium with an overall result.

Eddie said the NZSMTBC in Marlborough (October 4-7) had a cool atmosphere, with an older age group of cyclists who were more relaxed, all get along and are not as shy as their younger peers.

In the XC he was 24 seconds behind the winner. In the enduro he placed fifth and seventh in the downhill.

Pictured is the U20 XC podium, (from left) Eddie, winner Finn McKenzie (Marlborough Boys’ College), and third placed Hunter Adams (Hamilton Boys High School). PHOTO: Blissfield Photography

Eddie said the racing in the Yunca Junior Tour of Southland on Friday September 29 to Sunday October 1 was tough due to howling winds and cold conditions.

“It was definitely Southland weather and something I haven't dealt with before . . . it made the racing really hard as there was nowhere to hide.

“In the second stage there were multiple crashes due to wind, racing in that definitely wears you out.”

It was the 40th year of the three day road race event that has introduced many of New Zealand’s and Australia’s aspiring cyclists to tour racing and many people from the start lists have gone onto international representation.  

For Eddie it has been a busy season so far as he has been racing in Australia as well as on home turf for the NZ Cycling Project team.  

“I’ve been doing some solid training weeks. The road races in [Australia] earlier on have been a way to gain racing experience for me.

“I’m fitter than ever before . . . but I don’t feel like I’m peaking yet.”

One of Eddie’s training weeks is made up of 400km of riding over six days a week and on four of those days he is on his bike twice.  

Eddie Adams in the Linger and Die XC at Matangi Station MTB on September 24. PHOTO: Supplied 

Eddie thanked his whānau and coach Jimmy Williamson for their support with training and “for driving me all over the island”.

His next competition is in the Whaka 100 race in Rotorua (October 20 -22), which is described as a tough mountain bike marathon including 3000 metres of climbing. 

DHS student Milla Druce also secured a podium finish, winning the overall U17 girls competition at NZSMTBC.

Eddie was interviewed on The Outlet in May.

Read More: Alexandra’s Eddie ’the eagle’ eyes cycling goals.