RaboPlus NZ MTB Cup this weekend in Queenstown

The Raboplus NZ MTB Cup, presented by Nature Valley continues this weekend (Feb 14/15th) in Queenstown, on the Coronet Peak skifield. 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 Mountainbike Championships in Nelson between February 26 and March 1st.

Coronet Peak hosts the fifth round of the Raboplus NZ Downhill Cup on Saturday, and also the sixth and final round of the Raboplus NZ Cross Country Cup on Sunday on the popular chairlift serviced facility.

Saturday's Downhill race features a high calibre mens field including some of NZ's best (and World Class) athletes, as well as a handful of international visitors who have consistently bumped NZers off the podium this summer. NZ's highest ever world ranked mountainbiker Justin Leov (Christchurch) is back on form after a summer of recuperation, and will be looking for an incident free race run this weekend at the head of the field. However, Leov faces strong competition from Scottish podium raiders Ben Cathro, Gary Forest and Joe Barnes, and also from young Danny Hart (UK). 2007 World Champs bronze medallist Matt Scoles (Alexandra), 2008 World Champs 5th place Junior Brook MacDonald (Hawkes Bay) and any number of the class Elite Mens field could mix it up in the results this weekend, and the awesome spectating opportunities that Coronet Peak provides will showcase this competition superbly. With former Junior World Champion Scarlett Hagen's recent retirement the task of trying to keep France's Emelline Ragot off the top of the Elite Womens podium falls again to Harriet Harper (Blenheim) in the Elite Womens race.

Sunday's cross country race brings all the NZ Cup contenders together, being the final of the six race series. The Elite Mens race is sure to provide some action at the front of the field, with in form Brendon Sharratt (Christchurch) racing against Mike Northcott (Taupo) for the first time this summer. Several Elite athletes have been improving quickly this summer and challenging for podium spots at earlier Cup rounds - mixed with the open alpine environment and sometimes loose riding surface of the skifield could see some surprises, especially from the U23 athletes racing in the Elite field. However, the big interest story within the Elite race is the inclusion of U19 athlete Dirk Peters (Rotorua). Peters has been granted a one-off opportunity this summer to measure himself against the Elite field on Sunday, and is keen to make a strong impression on the race.

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 NZ MTB Cup events.

For further information contact:
Shanine Hermsen
BikeNZ/MTBNZ Event Coordinator
Tel 021 702454

Additional information available at:
www.bikenz.org.nz/mtbcups