In what she described as the most technically challenging track she has ever ridden Scarlett Hagen finished a solid 8th place in the second race of the world cup series in Champery, Switzerland yesteday.

From Switzerland this morning, the 2007 New Zealand downhill mountain bike champion said it was her favourite world cup track.

"It was the gnarliest track ever. You couldn't stop because it was so steep. It fully tested your riding skills and I loved it. I was stoked to have had two clean runs and finish in 8th place"

Scarlett is now placed 8th overall in the world mountain biking five country, five race series.

"I am OK with this overall," said the gutsy 20 year old. "I am feeling really motivated, I've had a steady start to competition and am just loving racing again."

The GT mountain bike racer from Queenstown will now stay in France for a week's training before heading to Mont St Anne, Canada to compete in the third race of the world cup series on 24 June 2007.

Scarlett sincerely thanked her sponsors; GT Bikes, adidas Eyewear, A J Hackett Bungy, Video Ezy, Red Bull, FOX, Maxxis, Coronet Peak, The Bike Fix, Queenstown Chiropractic Clinic.