ARMIDALE will have the opportunity to cheer on our local Australian champions after Mountain Biking Australia announced the city will host a national series round next year.
Rounds three and four of the 2017 cross country Olympic series will be held at the University of New England on January 28 and 29.
Local club, New England Mountain Bikers, have experienced plenty of success in recent years with three of its members, Holly Harris, Jack Feltham and Michael Harris competing at the world championships in the Czech Republic at the end of last month.
NEMTB president Peter Hosking was thrilled the club would be able to showcase the tracks they have in their backyard and said it was a real coup to host a national round.
He said the club had petitioned to host a national round due to the facilties in the area.
“The club have always seen the potential of the SportUNE Mountain Bike Trails to host a national event due to the superb sporting complex facilities that are literally located within 100 metres of the trails,” he said.
“It will be very exciting to co-host an annual round of the 2017 to 2019 seasons with UNE.”
More than 370 riders will descend into the city for the event with the university providing the facilities and village for the event.
UNE Vice Chancellor Annabelle Duncan was excited to secure the event and said it will provide a high-profile boost to the community.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for UNE to host the National Series and we are delighted to be working with the New England Mountain Bikers to bring this high profile event to Armidale,” she said.
The New England Mountain Bikers are in their off-season and are experiencing a well earned break before they head back into training for the next season of mountain bike racing.
It will be very exciting to co-host an annual round of the 2017 to 2019 seasons with UNE
- Peter Hosking
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