Dan McConnell leads the elite men’s race
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Twenty six of the nation’s best headed for Austria
Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) has announced the riders who will represent Australia at the upcoming UCI MTB World Championships held from 31 August-9 September in Saalfelden, Austria. The 12-rider cross country team is headlined by current cross country elite national champions Dan McConnell and Jenni King with Rebecca Henderson filling the U23 women’s spot. Meanwhile, a 14-rider squad will showcase their skills and speed in the downhill, four-cross and trials competitions.
McConnell and Henderson will also represent Australia prior to the UCI World Championships at the London Olympic Games – just three weeks away on the weekend of 11 August.
Surprisingly one of the country’s top-ranked U19-men has not been selected for the cross country race. Ben Forbes was not included in the junior line-up and yet he is amongst the best in his category. Cyclingnews has been informed by Forbes’ coach that an appeal was lodged to MTBA and an answer is expected sometime late next week. Forbes is hoping his omission has been a simple oversight, with his results throughout the season proving he is deserving of a spot in the Australian team.
The experienced Sam Hill and young-gun and current national champion Troy Brosnan will lead the men’s downhill team while Australian champion and former junior world champion Tracey Hannah continues her impress return to the sport and is aiming at the top spot in the elite women’s downhill.
Team for 2012 UCI MTB World Championships
Elite men four-cross: Graeme Mudd (NSW), Richard Levinson (QLD) and Blake Neilson (NSW)
Elite men downhill: Sam Hill (WA), Troy Brosnan (SA), Michael Hannah (QLD), Jared Graves (NSW), Joshua Button (NSW), Mitchell Delfs (WA) and Bryn Atkinson (NSW)
Elite women downhill: Tracey Hannah (QLD)
Trials: Paul Gerloff
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