Ellison in bid for worlds

TERRITORIAN Luke Ellison will focus on the 2017 DHI National Mountain Bike Series in the hope of qualifying for the World Cup in Cairns in April.

The 21-year-old, who recently returned to competitive riding after two years away from the sport, won the first round of this month’s 2016-17 Victorian Downhill MTB Series.

Ellison said he would use the victory as a stepping stone to greater things.

“That weekend I only went there to get some time on my mountain bike, because I have been missing that for the past couple of years — to win was just a bonus,” Ellison said. “It’s not that significant in the grand scheme of things.

“A lot of the boys have been riding in World Cups all year and this is their off-season, so there were still a fair few names missing — it’s a state-level competition.”

Currently residing in Canberra, Ellison said he would turn his attention to national competition in the new year.

“There are four rounds of that (national series),” Ellison said.

“Next year the world champs are in Cairns, so that’s the bigger picture at the moment, but there’s a long way to get there.

“I will need to accumulate points from the national series to race the World Cup Series and do well enough to be selected to race at the World Championships.”

Ellison said he would have to dedicate himself completely to achieve his goal. “All my time and all my money,” he said.

“Every spare bit of time I will be riding my bike or preparing.”

Round 1 of the DHI national series begins on January 13 next year at Awaba State Forest, New South Wales.