Cycling New Zealand is again linking with respected race promoters Nduro Events for the second annual Marathon MTB National Championships in Rotorua this weekend.
The event, along with the national championship for the MTB Eliminator titles, is part of the annual Isuzu Whaka 100 in Rotorua which has attracted around 3000 entries across a range of events.
It will be a sanctioned event with national jerseys at stake for elite riders, and championship titles presented to Elite, Under-23, Under-19, Sport and Masters riders.
North Canterbury’s Ben Oliver, from MitoQ-NZ Cycling Project, has just returned from another season on the international mountain bike world circuit to defend his marathon title won last year in the elite men.
There will be a rainbow jersey rider defending her marathon honours in the women, in the shape of under-23 cross-country world champion Sammie Maxwell, who has recently signed for the Rockrider Ford pro team.
Maxwell won the double last year, taking out the Eliminator title, which starts the weekend on Friday, staged in the Waipa MTB Car Park.
The fastest 32 men and 16 women qualify from time trials around a 300m circuit, before competing in groups of four over two laps, with the fastest two riders progressing until an ultimate final.
Last year Olympian Anton Cooper won the eliminator final from Oliver with Lochlan Brown (Cambridge) third, with Oliver and Brown returning this week along with the likes of Cameron Jones (Nelson). Oliver’s older brother Craig current Cyclocross National Champion, and last year’s cyclocross national champion Corban Nicol and World Cup Enduro winner Matthew Walker are leading contenders in the men.
Maxwell is joined by international MTB riders Bailey Fredericksen (Whakatane), Amelie Mackay (Christchurch) and Samara Sheppard, New Zealand’s representative in the MTB Marathon World Championships in Scotland recently.
Focus moves to famed Whakarewarewa Forest trail network at the weekend with the New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty 50km event on Saturday ahead of the main event, and national marathon race, with the Shimano 100km on Sunday.
Oliver will be the leading contender for his third straight elite men’s title with main competition expected from the likes of brother Craig, Taupo pair of Coen and Corban Nicol, Jones, Walker and Australia’s Kyle Ward.
Maxwell will look to repeat her win in the elite women, taking on the likes of two-time winner Josie, Wilcox (Nelson) and Sheppard, who was sixth in the marathon world championships in Scotland recently.
There will also be interest in the performance of former WorldTour road professional, Sharlotte Lucas (Hokitika), and Noumea’s based Chris Jenner, the kiwi who won a stage of the Tour de France two decades ago.
The Isuzu Whaka 100 is among the largest and toughest mass-participation MTB events, which attracts internationals and Olympians along with weekend warriors and beginners.
Racing in the Eliminator starts from 1.30pm on Friday at the Waipa MTB Carpark on Waipa State Mill Road, with a range of age groups for the New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty 50km event from 8.30am on Saturday along with a Kids 5km fun ride.
The Shimano 100km starts at 7.40am on Sunday for elites plus an early 5am start for the DCA Whaka Miler, the Stan’s 25km event from 8.30am and That’s It 10km race from 9am.
Full details: www.marathonnationals.nz or event information www.whaka100.co.nz