Cooper to join elite company

Anton Cooper is looking forward to his first tilt in elite company at the mountainbike world championship race today.

The 23-year-old, who has won the rainbow jersey at both under19 and under-23 level, is New Zealand’s only ride in the elite men’s cross race in Cairns, Australia.

After illness thwarted his first year at elite level, this year the Trek Factory professional has enjoyed an outstanding season, finishing seventh overall in the World Cup with one podium finish to his credit.

He wants to finish that off in style, with the aim of a top-20 finish in his mind but a strong desire to push into the top-10.

‘‘You are racing the best of the best and everyone is on peak form. It is by far the biggest race of the year so everyone is at their best level. I need to make sure my legs and everything else turn up on the day,’’ Cooper said.

The last time Cairns hosted a major World Cup event, the wet season produced a slog in the mud, but conditions are the opposite this week with hot and dry weather which is to the liking of the young Kiwi.

‘‘The heat is a factor but I enjoy racing in the heat and so for me the hotter the better. I know quite a few other rides don’t perform as well in the heat.’’

It has meant the track is dry and dusty which can present challenges.

‘‘If you were doing a lap by yourself it is okay and the track is surprisingly grippy and rolling quite fast. The problem is when there are 100 riders on the track then you can’t see a thing in front of you with the dust.

‘‘You have to make sure you are at the head of the race or at least at the front of the group you are riding in.

‘‘I am on the second row start which is good and I will have to do good work to make sure I can get into the single track early as will everyone. That is always the challenge in the first five to 10 minutes of a mountain bike race.’’

Regardless of what happens on Saturday, Cooper said he is pleased with what he has achieved so far in 2017.

‘‘I feel like I belong at the top of this sport. I was seventh overall in the World Cup. I had a podium in one round and beat the Olympic and world champion in a race and been competitive with him in others. That is a huge sign of what is ahead and I look forward to taking my learnings through to next year.

‘‘I am trying not to look ahead of this race right now but obviously next year is going to be even better and I feel I belong as one of the top-10 riders in the world right now.’’

Four Kiwi riders compete in the under-23 men’s race on Friday night, with Samara Sheppard competing in the elite women’s race on Saturday morning before Cooper rides in the elite men in the afternoon.

The action then moves to downhill with competition for all grades tomorrow.