The 2009 UCI Oceania Mountain Bike Championships in Thredbo got underway this evening with four cross. Hot favourite, BMX Olympian, Jared Graves, proved he was back in form on the mountain bike by winning the Oceania title. Hot on his heals were two Canberra BMX riders. Young 16 year old Ryan Henderson slipped past Leigh Darrell claim second and third respectively.
National Champion, Caroline Buchanan, came out to win while Sarsha Huntington followed her into second. Closing in was young BMX rider Cherie Simpson finishing a creditable third.
This weekend heralds the final chance for Australian and New Zealand riders to race in the southern hemisphere before heading overseas for the upcoming World Cup series starting in April followed by the prestigious UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships in Canberra in early September.
Heading the Australian contingent in cross country on Saturday is Victoria’s Dan McConnell. McConnell. McConnell represented Australia at the Beijing Olympics but forcing the pace could be Canberra’s Dylan Cooper along with New Zealand’s National Champion, Stu Houltham from Palmerston North also reported to be in good form.
The women’s elite cross country will again be a close battle between Launceston’s Rowena Fry, the current national champion and national series winner, Victoria’s Katherine O’Shea. O'Shea is hoping for an early birthday present before turning 30 on Sunday. Former national champion, Tory Thomas will be back on the racing track along with Bendigo’s Joe Wall and Sydney’s Zoe King. New Zealand’s in form riders Sara MacDonald and Jeannette Gerrie will hope to upset the Aussie dominance.
The under 23 divisions will hold vital importance with the winner gaining an automatic entry for the upcoming World Championships. With only Castlemaine’s Lachlan Norris and Canberra’s Gracie Elvin with a spot it could be the incentive for Bowral’s Charlton Durie or Adelaide’s Therese Rhodes to get to the front. New Zealand’s Samara Sheppard from Wellington has been flagged as a podium contender in the under 23 division after winning the Under 19 Oceania title last year.
Downhill world ranked number eight, Nathan Rennie from the Gold Coast returns to competition following knee surgery. Canberra’s Ben Corey demonstrate his form by winning the last national series round. Also in the hunt will be national series leader Joshua Button and Amiel Cavalier from Wollongong as they prepare for their overseas assault. New Zealand’s Wyn Masters from New Plymmouth will head the kiwi challengers.
The women’s field will see Australia’s national downhill champion, Claire Whiteman from Canberra line up against New Zealand’s silver medallist Amy Laird from Christchurch.
The Under 19 division will again come down to the line with national champion, Queensland’s Rhys Willemse out to challenge national series winner Shaun O’Connor. Also in the mix are five of New Zealand’s riders out to claim a podium finish.
Sharon Payne
Media Manager
Mountain Bike Australia
image: evanjeffery.blogspot.com
National Champion, Caroline Buchanan, came out to win while Sarsha Huntington followed her into second. Closing in was young BMX rider Cherie Simpson finishing a creditable third.
This weekend heralds the final chance for Australian and New Zealand riders to race in the southern hemisphere before heading overseas for the upcoming World Cup series starting in April followed by the prestigious UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships in Canberra in early September.
Heading the Australian contingent in cross country on Saturday is Victoria’s Dan McConnell. McConnell. McConnell represented Australia at the Beijing Olympics but forcing the pace could be Canberra’s Dylan Cooper along with New Zealand’s National Champion, Stu Houltham from Palmerston North also reported to be in good form.
The women’s elite cross country will again be a close battle between Launceston’s Rowena Fry, the current national champion and national series winner, Victoria’s Katherine O’Shea. O'Shea is hoping for an early birthday present before turning 30 on Sunday. Former national champion, Tory Thomas will be back on the racing track along with Bendigo’s Joe Wall and Sydney’s Zoe King. New Zealand’s in form riders Sara MacDonald and Jeannette Gerrie will hope to upset the Aussie dominance.
The under 23 divisions will hold vital importance with the winner gaining an automatic entry for the upcoming World Championships. With only Castlemaine’s Lachlan Norris and Canberra’s Gracie Elvin with a spot it could be the incentive for Bowral’s Charlton Durie or Adelaide’s Therese Rhodes to get to the front. New Zealand’s Samara Sheppard from Wellington has been flagged as a podium contender in the under 23 division after winning the Under 19 Oceania title last year.
Downhill world ranked number eight, Nathan Rennie from the Gold Coast returns to competition following knee surgery. Canberra’s Ben Corey demonstrate his form by winning the last national series round. Also in the hunt will be national series leader Joshua Button and Amiel Cavalier from Wollongong as they prepare for their overseas assault. New Zealand’s Wyn Masters from New Plymmouth will head the kiwi challengers.
The women’s field will see Australia’s national downhill champion, Claire Whiteman from Canberra line up against New Zealand’s silver medallist Amy Laird from Christchurch.
The Under 19 division will again come down to the line with national champion, Queensland’s Rhys Willemse out to challenge national series winner Shaun O’Connor. Also in the mix are five of New Zealand’s riders out to claim a podium finish.
Sharon Payne
Media Manager
Mountain Bike Australia
image: evanjeffery.blogspot.com
