Mountain biking: Europe beckons shivering Mudgway

Tauranga mountain biker Harrison Mudgway is facing the issue many Southern Hemisphere athletes have to tackle in getting ready to compete in Europe.

The New Zealand under-19 cross-country champion has been named in the national team for the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships at Vallnord in Andorra, a principality bordered by Spain and France, from September 1-6, but is having to prepare in far-from-ideal winter conditions.

He will be joined in the cross-country under-19 men's race by Paul Wright (Wanaka) and Nathan Johnston (Rotorua).

Mudgway, 17, won the New Zealand title in Rotorua in February and two weeks later raced for the Oceania title in Toowoomba. A flat tyre cost him any chance of a good showing.

"That wasn't the result we were after," said coach Chris Willett, "but it's part of mountain biking, and he seemed to rebound really quickly. He raced the following day."

After Australia Willett gave his charge a two to three-week break.

"That seemed to freshen him up, and after that he was ready to go."

Since preparation for Andorra began, Willett said his job had been to keep the training interesting, keep Mudgway motivated and not think about having to train in the dark and cold of a New Zealand winter.

"We have been working on some of the little things that are going to make a big difference, on two or three key aspects to make sure we are making gain."

Starting position will be dictated by riders' UCI points and, with few under his belt, Mudgway is likely to be starting well back in the field.

"That means the first two minutes [of the race] are going to be pivotal," said Willett. "He is going to need to move up as far as he can before he gets into a rhythm, rather than get hampered by people he's faster than."

Between now and the race Willett will also be working on Mudgway's climbing ability and strength, and is also looking at some simulated altitude training. "We are being realistic with our expectations but it will be a good insight into where we stack up. He's still got three or four years of development, easily, so we will be able to draw a line in the sand and say in two or three years' time, when he's under 23 still, where can we be in terms of his peers?"

Mudgway said he was excited and looking forward to the experience.

"It's been a goal to ride in Europe for a couple of years. It will be a different environment from the one here and it will give me something to set my sights on and make me realise how hard it is to compete at that level." That could only motivate him to train the best he could to get to the highest level possible.