Riders Not Quite Oceans Apart

The Australian – New Zealand rivalry heats up this weekend with the 2017 Oceania Continental MTB Championships held in Toowoomba.

Over 400 riders will descend on Jubilee Mountain Bike Park to contest the cross-country and downhill titles, with vital UCI points on the line.

Defending elite men cross-country champion Anton Cooper (NZL) will defend the title he won last year at Queenstown, and will face off against the likes of three time Olympian and Australian champion Daniel McConnell (ACT).

“I’m feeling really good and I know a lot of the Aussie guys are riding really well, so I’m hoping the form I’ve been in lately can really give this guys a shake,” the Christchurch rider said.

Despite having claimed the 2017 XCO National Series title McConnell has been pushed by rivals Brendan Johnston (ACT), who claimed back to back national series wins in Bairnsdale three weeks ago, and Cameron Ivory (NSW) who’s also in top form after taking out Round 3 of the National Series in Armidale back in January, defeating McConnell and Johnston.

“I’m looking forward to getting back to Toowoomba where it’s always a technical and fun track, and battling it out against some of the fastest riders from Australia and New Zealand,” Ivory remarked.

“I’m yet to have a strong performance there so I’m excited to take on the best guys in the Oceania,” said Johnston, whose best result was a third in the final national series round last year.

Jared Graves (QLD) who has raced in the downhill the past three years will suit up in the XCO elite men’s race as he looks to up his fitness ahead of the Enduro World Series opening round in a few weeks time.

“The course is definitely the most technical, and a proper test for a championship event. Super physical and very limited recovery,” he said.

In the women Rebecca Henderson (ACT) will be out to defend her title from last year, and will face the likes of Peta Mullens (VIC), Eliza Kwan (ACT) and Anna Beck (QLD)

National series titles will be finalised for all categories except the Elite’s and Junior Men and Women.

For the downhillers, Jackson Frew (ACT) and Danielle Beecroft (NSW) have their best chance to wrap up the 2017 National DHI Series titles in the elite men and women this weekend.

“It’s a great place to be and the track is a lot of fun to ride and with National Championships next week it is going to a fun two weeks of racing.”

“Also it’s a great opportunity for me to get top of that podium which I hope I’m not too far off,” Frew said.

While Frew will be making his third trip to the venue, it’s been a few years since Beecroft has race at an Oceania Championship.

“The track is quite simple and straight forward and with a little bit of a pedal chucked in there, and if I can take the win that would be a bonus,” she said.

Oceania Cycling Confederation President Tracey Gaudry thanked all those involved with organising this year’s event and said Queensland has truly embraced the cycling by the level of commitment from all stakeholders.

“A major focus for many this year is qualification for the 2017 UCI MTB World Championships which this year will be held in Australia in Cairns from 5-10 September. The Oceania MTB Championships represents an important stepping stone for selection into National Teams for this pinnacle event and we look forward to seeing many of the riders competing this weekend qualifying for a rare ‘home’ World Championships,” Gaudry said.

This weekend is the last opportunity for riders to reach their peak with the 2017 National Championships a week away.

Complete schedule: https://www.mtba.asn.au/event/oceania-champs

Source
Mountain Bike Australia