Kabush completes epic intercontinental weekend

By Dave McElwaine

Canadian Geoff Kabush completed what was perhaps the most impressive feat of the weekend, claiming two podium finishes on opposite sides of the world. After finishing the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup cross country round in Canberra, Australia on Saturday he left the Asia-Pacific nation early Sunday morning to compete in the National Mountain Bike Series (NMBS) Finals in Utah in the United States of America that same day.

"It was interesting," said Kabush. "I was glad I booked an insurance flight from Vegas since I missed the scheduled flight. [His wife] Keri met me at the airport and I brought a radar detector…it was very tight."

Despite the incredible journey, totalling nearly 13,000 kilometres point-to-point, Kabush was ready to race in time for the start in Utah. Kabush needed to contest the North American event to preserve his NMBS championship lead.

"We got to Brian Head half an hour before the start, so I kitted up and got ready to race," he added.

With time zones on his side as he travelled east across the international date line, Kabush raced to a strong third place finish at Brian Head in Utah. The podium finish was enough to secure Kabush his second consecutive NMBS title.

"It is great to win the series again," said Kabush according to organizers. It was his fourth career NMBS series win, which tied him with the great Ned Overend.

"It's nice to be on the same page as a rider like Ned," said Kabush. "One more NMBS cross country win, and I'll tie John Tomac. He had 14."

See Cyclingnews' full coverage of the elite men's and elite women's downhill at the Canberra World Cup