Elite tilt on right course at Nerang
AUSTRALIA’S elite mountain bike riders have a final shot at Commonwealth Games qualification at Round 3 and 4 of the 2018 Mountain Bike Australia Cross-Country National Series in Nerang.
Australian elite men’s and women’s champions Daniel McConnell (ACT) and Rebecca Henderson (ACT) open their season tomorrow after an off-season in which they married.
The duo have already secured a spot on the Aussie team for April’s Games, however the chance to race the course prior is a big advantage.
“Of course it helps to be racing on the Commonwealth Games course,” 2014 Games women’s bronze medallist Hendersen said.
“I have no idea how I’m going to feel coming into this racing, I’ve taken it a little easier over the last couple of weeks; there is a big year ahead and January is not the time to be on form.”
Games MTB Sport Ambassador Cameron Ivory (NSW) leads the elite men after taking the opening two rounds in Orange a month ago.
Riders from across the ditch will also be making their presence felt with 2017 Oceania men’s and women’s champion Anton Cooper (NZ) and Samara Sheppard (NZ) competing.
“(It) will be a great opportunity to put together a week of preparation and two race days on the course of the 2018 Commonwealth Games MTB event,” Sheppard said.
In the junior men, world champion Cameron Wright (Qld) will be out to make it four straight wins in the national series after claiming wins in the opening rounds.
Cyclists from under-15 to Masters ride this weekend.