THREE of Armidale’s best mountain bikers will head to the Czech Republic later this month to compete against the best riders around the globe in the world championships.
Holly Harris will compete in the under 23s women’s event while under 19s riders Jack Feltham and Michael Harris will compete in the junior men’s team.
The Australian team was selected after the top six riders in the country were decided at the national titles in March.
New England Mountain Bikers club president Peter Hosking is honoured to have three local riders selected and believes they will do the local club proud when they don the green and gold.
“The world championships are the one and only,” he said.
“They have what is called a world cup series which is a series of races and that is a separate competition.
“But the world championships, in mountain biking, is the ultimate.
“A lot of hard work goes into training to get up to that level.
“It is an incredible effort.
“You really have to put your mind to it if you want to compete at that level.
“It is going to be serious over there.
“It is a massive sport in Europe.
“You are talking about fields of 130." The world championships will be a step up for the trio with Michael and Jack making the trip for the first time.
Holly has been competing in the world cup series in Europe for the last few weeks and will have to overcome a wrist injury before she heads to the championships.
Mountain biking in Australia is currently in its off-season but the New England club is gearing up for an even bigger upcoming season with Armidale set to host a national round.
Hosking said it is a credit to members of the club for working hard and earning good results on the national stage.
“What we are doing now as a club is lining up to hold our first national round here next year,” he said.
“We are in the final throws in securing that.
“We have something to offer here and the calibre of riders is getting noticed.”
The world championships commence on June 28.
