RaboPlus NZ MTB Cup presented by Nature Valley this weekend in Rotorua and Wellington

The RaboPlus NZ MTB Cup, presented by Nature Valley continues this weekend (Jan 17/18) in Rotorua and Wellington. The NZ MTB Cup comprises six Cross Country and Six Downhill events (three in each of the North and South Islands) during January and February, wrapping up with the RaboPlus National Mountain Bike Championships presented by Nature Valley in Nelson between February 26 and March 1st.

Rotorua hosts the NZCT Round 2 of the NZ MTB Downhill Cup on Saturday in the Whakarewarewa Forest, while cross country racers head to Wellington for NZCT Round 3 (and final of the North Island Cross Country Cup) event on Sunday, on the inner city Mt. Victoria circuit. Some of the most exciting mountain bike race locations around the country are still to come for competitors with Levin, Dunedin, Timaru, Coronet Peak, Blenheim, and finally Nelson all hosting events for NZ's mountain bikers in their quest for National competitive and internationally recognised titles.

Saturday's Downhill race is noteworthy for the return to NZ domestic racing of one of the brightest stars of the 2008 World Cup circuit. Sam Blenkinsop (Wanganui) hasn't raced since winning the final round of the 2008 UCI World Cup in Austria in September, opting instead to enjoy a rest period in his hometown. His return to competition is not only eagerly anticipated, but welcomed by the quality Elite field and the strong age group categories. Round One winner Ben Cathro (Scotland), seasoned Rotorua charger James Dodds, 2007 World Champs bronze medallist Matt Scoles (Alexandra) and NZ's Junior phenoms Aari Barrett and Brook MacDonald (both Hawkes Bay) will be looking to best Blenkinsop on the challenging and technical Whakarewarewa downhill course, and will not give any quarter in their push to the podium. Harriett Harper (Blenheim) makes her first appearance of the NZ MTB Cup and will square off against another Rotorua local Gabby Molloy in the Elite Womens race.

Sunday's Cross Country race in Wellington features an Elite Mens field which has produced some very close racing at the front of the field in the previous two Cup events (Rotorua and Auckland). Clinton Avery (Rotorua) suffered a nasty knock to the thigh in Rotorua two weeks ago, but should be right this weekend to challenge current National Champion Stu Houltham on the Mt. Victoria race course. Local advantage may play into Gavin McCarthy's hands, while first time Elite MTB rider Edwin Crossling could provide that 'dark horse' component to the Elite mens race. Jeanette Gerrie (Christchurch) and Nic Leary (Palmerston North) make their first Cup appearances in Wellington, and will add some real depth to the Elite Womens field where Monique Avery will look to extend her advantage into a North Island MTB Cup win. Samara Sheppard will be racing on her home turf and will compete with what will no doubt be a large and very vocal Wellington crowd, while aiming to reverse the result from last week's Auckland race where Avery pedalled away from her in the closing stages to take the win. On course with the Elites will be the U19 fields, again with several class riders making their first appearances. Dirk Peters (Rotorua) has been circulating at Elite pace at the previous two rounds, and has a number of very quick U19 riders right on his heels. This U19 category is providing real excitement this year, with several riders making their intentions very clear for higher honours.

Additionally to the premier Elite level competition, age group categories from Masters 50+ through to the emerging U15 age groups in their first national events will be just as hotly contested at all RaboPlus NZ MTB Cup presented by Nature Valley events.

Event website at www.bikenz.org.nz/mtbcups