2008 junior
Mountainbike New Zealand are proud to announce the NZ Team who will be co
The Downhill side of the team includes three former Junior World Championship medalists and current Junior bronze medallist Matt Scoles. As with the Cross Country team, NZ's depth of Downhill talent and raw speed is represented in both the Elite and the Junior ranks, with Hawkes Bay Junior athletes Aari Barrett and Brook McDonald going into this event with nothing short of complete domination of their category in mind.
Yeti/Fox full time professionals Sam Blenkinsop and Justin Leov, along with seasoned campaigner Nathan Rankin will lead the strong Elite Downhill contingent, and carry the hopes of a dynamic and fully supportive NZ MTB community. "The stength and depth of NZ's downhill athletes is paralleled only by their committment and enthusiasm - most will be leaving for Europe within the next few weeks to compete at World Cup events in Andorra and Scotland before the Italian Worlds. There is the ideal preparation for taking on the worlds best in Italy in June"
An exciting group of athletes comprising youth mixed with experience has been selected to compete in the spectacular Four Cross discipline. Matt Walker and Rhys Willemse provide the youth with 2006 Junior Downhill World Champion Cameron Cole bringing experience along with Wyn Masters and Craig Pattle
U19 Downhill
Brook McDonald - Napier
Matt Walker - Kawerau
Peter Cooper - Blenheim
Aari Barrett - Havelock North
Richard Leacock - Wellington
Rhys Willemse - Brisbane Based
Elite Downhill
Scarlett Hagen - Queenstown
Amy Laird - Christchurch
Matt Scoles - Alexandra
Justin Leov - Christchurch
Nathan Rankin - Levin
Sam Blenkinsop - Wanganui
Kieran Bennett - Nelson
Glenn Haden - Wanganui
Mike Skinner - Auckland
Cameron Cole - Christchurch
Elite Four Cross
Wyn Masters - Wanganui
Craig Pattle - Rotorua
Matt Walker - Kawerau
Cameron Cole - Christchurch
Rhys Willemse - Brisbane Based