NZCT National Mountain Bike Cup Series 08 Preview

Cross Country riders are gearing up for the first event in the NZCT National Mountain bike Cup series set to take place in Arrowsmith this Sunday.

The first round of the NZCT South Island Cross Country Mountain Bike Cup takes place this Sunday at Mt Arrowsmith, 2 hours inland from Christchurch. A spectacular back country ride with superb views, riders begin the 42km race at Mt Arrowsmith Station. They will then head up the Cameron River almost to it's source; up and over a saddle into the South Ashburton River valley and blast down the river bed and ride across open farmland to the Station woolshed start/finish area.

Nelson’s Brenda Clapp, and Erin Greene (Dunedin) are expected to lead the Elite Women’s while the men’s competition will see Brit Tom MacKay in his first year in Elite up against Tony Hogg (Dunedin) and Dayle McLauchlan (Oaklands).

The Cup series comprises of the Subaru South Island Downhill Cup, Subaru North Island Downhill Cup, NZCT South Island Cross Country Cup and NZCT North Island Cross Country Cup. Each Cup will have 3 rounds with overall cup winners being announced at the end of the final round.

Following on from the Island Cup Series will be the NZCT National Championships in Wellington on February 21-24th and the NZCT Oceania Championships in Nelson on March 13-16th.

Although the Island Cup series is new for 2008, interest has been high and a number of top local riders have pre entered for the Island Series.

The Downhill events kick off next week in Hawkes Bay and entries for the season have been particularly strong in both Elite and age group categories including Cameron Cole (2006 Junior World Champion) and Sam Blenkinsop confirmed starters.

All events are open to the competitive and not as competitive riders with two main categories, age group and elite. Anyone aged 12 or over can enter and all age group categories are open to licensed and unlicensed riders. Entries will be accepted up until the day before the events.



Timetable of Events

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Subaru North Island Downhill Cup -
Round 1 Hawkes Bay Fri 14th Dec & Sat 15th
Round 2 Rotorua Sat 2nd Feb & Sun 3rd
Round 3 Auckland Sat 16th Feb & Sun 17th


Subaru South Island Downhill Cup -
Round 1 Coronet Peak Fri 4th Jan & Sat 5th
Round 2 Dirt Park NZ Tue 8th Jan & Wed 9th
Round 3 Nelson (Class 1)Sat 12th Jan & Sun 13th


NZCT North Island Cross Country Cup -
Round 1 Opotiki Sat 26th Jan & Sun 27th
Round 2 Rotorua (Class 1)Fri 1st Feb & Sat 2nd
Round 3 Palmerston North Sat 9th Feb & Sun 10th

NZCT South Island Cross Country Cup -
Round 1 Arrowsmith Sat Dec 8th & Sun 9th
Round 2 Coronet Peak Sat Jan 5th & Sun 6th
Round 3 Waipara Sat Jan 19th & Sun 20th

2008 NZCT National Championships
The 2008 NZCT National Mountain Bike Championships will be held in Wellington from Thursday 21st February to Sunday 24th February.


2008 NZCT Oceania Championships
The 2008 NZCT Oceania Mountain Bike Championships will be held in Nelson from Thursday 13th March to Sunday 16th March. Revised timetable to come soon.