After breaking her back in the 2023 New Zealand Downhill National Championships, Tauranga’s Eliana Hulsebosch is cleaning up at the 2024 World Cup.

Eliana is in Europe, where she’s been competing since the beginning of April.

Even though Eliana came 4th in the Poland World Cup, 3rd in the Scottish and French World Cup, 2nd in the Austrian World Cup and 1st in the Italian World Cup, Eliana is not completely satisfied with her results so far.

“I am always gutted when I know I can do something better or don’t achieve what I want in a race, but I am never mad about it as I know it’s a part of the process and there’s a lot of good to come from it like the learning and the experience.

“So far my experience overseas has been really good as I have made new friends and made a home away from home. It’s been super easy to do so when everyone in the sport is really supportive.

Eliana Hulsebosch during the 2024 UCI MTB World Cup series at Fort William, Scotland. Photo / Sven Martin.

“The tracks overseas are a lot steeper and longer than anything back home, the terrain is the biggest difference as it’s either super dusty and hard packed with rocks and roots everywhere or it’s really slippery and gnarly in the wet.

“It is a super cool experience to be able to travel as your job and do what you love. The food during the race weeks has been pretty similar to everyone’s comfort foods back home just so our bodies as racers are familiar with it, outside of race weeks there’s been heaps of delicious foods from Austria, UK and France.”

Eliana Hulsebosch wins the fourth round of the 2024 DH World Cup Series in Val di Sole, Italy. Photo / Sven Martin.

Eliana says her favourite race so far has been at the Italian World Cup in Val Di Sole.

“It’s known as the hardest track on the circuit because of it’s steep and hard terrain but it was a good challenge and heaps of fun as well as my first win so it’s one for the books forever.”

Eliana is the leading junior woman in points.

“It is very tight with points currently; it is a nice thing to achieve but it’s not over yet and it’s an easy thing to lose, so I just focus on my riding. If I ride well it will stay.”

Eliana Hulsebosch competing in the Les Gets 2024 UCI MTB World Cup. Photo / Sven Martin.

“I am excited to race again and go have more fun,” Eliana says with two more races to go.

She’s grateful for the opportunities she has received so far this year.

Before the two last races, Eliana will be competing in the Andorra World Championships in late August to early September.

Eliana Hulsebosch during the fourth round of the 2024 DH World Cup Series in Val di Sole, Italy. Photo / Sven Martin.

Eliana has had family with her, supporting her during her time in Europe.

“My dad came to support me for my first two races and then my grandparents came to watch at the next three. I also had my younger brother come to see me for a couple of weeks.

“I’m looking forward to coming home to a double summer and seeing my friends again.”

However, she says she will be sad to leave because of the people she has met.

Eliana Hulsebosch during the second round of the 2024 DH and EDR World Cup Series in Bielsko-Biala, Poland. Photo / Sven Martin.

- SunLive