Karapoti wide open

The form book suggests this year’s Karapoti Classic mountain bike race could be the most fiercely-contested yet but the course could make a mockery of form.

World number ones Anton Cooper and Jolanda Neff will both line up for the 50km Akatarawa race this Saturday morning.

At just 16 years old Cooper won the 2011 event, went on to win two World Mountain Bike Cup series races in Italy and Czech Republic and then came second in the World Championships.

Neff, of Switzerland, was the 2011 Swiss champion, European champion and won three rounds of World Cup series. She came fourth in the World Championships.

However, race director Michael Jacques said the tough Karapoti course and the late Wellington summer could combine to turn the form book upside down.

‘‘ The summer that never happened has left parts of the course very rough this year,’’ he said. ‘‘ So I think the winners will be the riders who pace themselves and pay attention to tyre selection and tactics to avoid punctures and crashes.’’

Jacques rated multisport world champion Richard Ussher, Tim Wilding and Brendon Sharratt, both of Wellington, and Gavin Mccarthy, Upper Hutt’s own, as contenders in the men’s race. Mccarthy said he would be aiming for a top-ten finish but agreed the course could be a wild card.

‘‘ I’ve been around twice since Christmas and they’ve done a bit of work on it but with this week’s rain, it could make it anyone’s game.’’

Among the women, defending champion Elina Ussher and 2010 winner Fiona Macdermid of Palmerston North will set the pace but rising star Kim HamerHurst of Upper Hutt could threaten.

Hamer-hurst said it would be a pretty strong women’s field with four riders vying for dais positions. ‘‘It’ll be a bit of a dog fight.’’ Local knowledge could be a factor, she said.

‘‘I think with Karapoti, certainly there are a few things that can play into your favour. The terrain is so rugged.’’

No local has ever won the race. Could she be the first? ‘‘I’d love to be that person,’’ she said.

The 2012 Karapoti Classic is being held on Saturday, March 3. As well, the feature 50km Classic, the 20km Challenge and the Kids 5km Klassic provide something for mountain bikers of all age and ability.

The event will also feature a novelty race on Sunday, the Perverse Reverse, the 50km classic course backwards.