Mountain biking: Injury setback for biker

The Olympic aspirations of mountain biker Rosara Joseph received a major blow when she broke her wrist in practice for this weekend's UCI World Cup.

The 30-year-old Rabobank Giant professional from Christchurch suffered the injury in preparations for today's race at La Bresse, which is the final qualifying opportunity for the London Olympics.

Joseph, locked in a battle with Whakatane's Karen Hanlen for the solitary spot in the team for the cross country, has broken two bones in her wrist.

She told BikeNZ that she had been taken to hospital where she would have a screw inserted into the wrist.

Joseph, who finished in the top 10 at the Beijing Olympics, expects to be out of action for six to eight weeks.

"It's a real blow for Rosara, who was getting back to best form," said BikeNZ's Andy Reid.

He said BikeNZ was looking for a really strong showing from Hanlen today to show that last week's 26th placing, on the back of some mechanical problems, was an aberration.

Mr Reid said he would get a more accurate medical appraisal following Joseph's surgery.