Kiwi riders to fight for the Olympics spot

Kiwi riders to fight for the Olympics spot

Giro d’ Italia and the Amgen Tour of California is undoubtedly the biggest cycling events currently ongoing across the globe.

However, there is another battle about to begin in France, the fourth round of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup is scheduled in La Bresse this weekend.

The event is the last real chance for the mountain bikers to qualify for the upcoming Olympics.

Cyclists from all across the globe are desperate to represent their nation at the mega event and a very high level of competition is expected on the French soil.

Event is scheduled from May 18-20 and top performers will have a solid chance to ride for their countries at the biggest event of the season.

The two young Kiwi riders, Whakatane mother Karen Hanlen and Rosara Joseph are having the same sort of fight within themselves.

There is only one available spot to represent New Zealand at the Elite Women’s category and both the cyclists are desperate to fill it up with their name.

While commenting on the final round of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, Hanlen cited, “I really hope to have a good race in La Bresse, and I’ve never ridden there before so not sure what to expect but it is going to be testing”.

“After I got caught behind the crash it made it really hard to pass slower riders once you hit the single track. A good start will be important this weekend.”

La Bresse is hosting a world cup round for the first time, the area shares borders with Germany and Switzerland and is expected to gather a large number of spectators.

Cyclists will have to cross a hilly 4.9 kilometre course to prove their dominance for the coming London event.

Joseph of Team Rabobank is all set to test her compatriot during the event.

“I tried hard last week and couldn’t have done much more in the circumstance”.

“I’ve had a couple of weeks of hard training and racing and so this week has been cruisy and I feel fresher and stronger,” she cited.

A total number of five New Zealanders are expected to take part at the race including, Dirk Peters, Sam Shaw, Samara Shepperd, Karen Hanlen and Rosara Joseph.