Alexandra’s Eddie Adams won gold in the Cross Country (XC) Mountain Bike (MTB) National Championships at Coronet Peak on Saturday, last year’s fourth placing now a distant memory.

The Dunstan High School student said he was hungry to win the XC Nationals after coming so close last year and the win was “the best feeling ever”. 

“Nationals has been a big goal for me over the past few years, to most [mountain bikers] it is the most important race in New Zealand.

“Crossing the line first was like a moment of relief, all the training and sacrifice had finally paid off, it felt amazing. I am so excited and proud to wear the silver fern for the year.”

Saturday’s weather made the course slick and challenging.

“Watching the women racing in the cold, wind and rain from inside didn’t make anyone all that excited to race. 

“But, once I was out there the weather didn’t matter. I actually quite enjoyed riding in the muddy slippery conditions as it put my skills to the test and meant I had to stay fully focused the whole time to stay upright,” Eddie said.

Eddie crossing the finish line of the five lap XC course. PHOTO: Supplied 

The U19 Cross Country podium was (from left) second place Hamilton’s Hunter Adams, first place Alexandra’s Eddie Adams and third Queenstown’s Reef Roberts. PHOTO: Cycling New Zealand.

Coach James Williamson said the nice weather turned to rubbish an hour before the race, catching competitors off guard.

“That’s where [Eddie’s] skills came in. He has spent a lot of time up there training and that was an advantage.”

James and Eddie’s family watched him bring home the gold.

“He loves it and he puts his heart and soul into it . . . there’s really good progress for him at the moment. It’s another step on the big path,” James said.

The pair celebrate achieving what James (on left) called a “big goal of the season”. PHOTO: Supplied

Eddie’s recent results have been promising. He came first at The Goldminer 40km endurance event at Coronet Peak earlier in February.

He participated in the Elite Road National Championships in Timaru earning a sixth placing (February 8-10), travelled to the Australian Cycling MTB National Series XC round one and two in the Gold Coast (February 3-4) where he earned fourth in round one and then a first in round two.

Next up for Eddie is The Prospector MTB Stage Race (March 8-10) on his home turf at Matangi Station and Earnscleugh.

He’s tackling the event on his own this year. Last year he was in a team together with Commonwealth Games silver medalist Ben Oliver and they won silver, behind the pairing of Craig Oliver and Ethan Rose from Christchurch.

Looking forward James said Eddie’s focused on a trip to Brisbane for MTB XC in the Oceania Cycling Championships (March 23) and working towards his goal of making the New Zealand team selection for the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) MTB World Championships in Andorra (August 28 - September 1).

Eddie thanked his coach James Williamson, his parents and family, sponsors and supporters.

Read more: Central brothers gearing up for mountain bike race

Read more: Fun ahead as The Prospector MTB race nears

Hear more: Local rider and race favourite Eddie Adams, interviewed in an earlier episode of The Outlet (May 2023).