Masters dominated on home soil, or rather mud, after heavy rain made the Rotorua event one of the most savage in the series’ five-year history.

“There were some stages that I’ve never seen that tough and it was just a struggle – the ruts swallowed the bike and the rider,” Masters said after topping an all-Kiwi podium featuring his brother Eddie and Matt Walker.

“I had a few crashes but I managed to hold it together and somehow I took the win and lived up to my name.” 

Australia’s former downhill world champion Sam Hill won his first EWS event in his second race in France last year and finished fourth in Rotorua.

Ravanel looked unstoppable in the women’s race, winning six of the seven stages to take the round from German Ines Thoma and Anita Gehrig, of Switzerland.

“I was a little bit nervous because of the rain,” said the Frenchwoman, who was a former international rival of Launceston’s Rowena Fry when the pair contested cross-country world cups.

“I live in the south-east of France and there are never these conditions – if it rains I don’t ride! I enjoyed it though and I’m happy.”

Next week Derby will host the inaugural Australia round of the series which then heads to Portugal, Ireland, France, USA, Canada and Italy.