Australians travel to Nelson in force for Oceanias
13 March 2008
New Zealand mountain bikers will face a strong challenge from across the Tasman during the UCI Oceania Mountainbike Championships in Nelson starting on Thursday, March 13.
The Australians are sending a powerful contingent to contest the four-day event which begins with the hill climb and dual slalom Thursday, Olympic distance cross country and 4X Friday – all at Banford Park – and the downhill at nearby Kaka Hill on Sunday.
Beijing Olympic hopefuls and Avanti riders Chris Jongewaard and Sid Taberlay are leading the Australian cross country team after finishing first and second in their national championship. Jongewaard, a member of the international Dolphin professional team, will defend his Oceania title from last year even though he has been more limited in his mountain bike training and racing time thanks to a highly promising foray into road cycling. The favorite placed seventh in the Australian time trial championships recently. Taberlay is a multi-time Australian champion who finished 23rd at the Athens Olympics in 2004 and sixth in the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Back
