Mountainbiking: NZ riders in the wars

Four New Zealand riders have withdrawn from the world mountainbike championships in Rotorua due to injuries suffered while training yesterday.

The casualty list included junior downhillers Joel Daniels and Holly Kernohan-Smith, and under-23 cross country riders Chelsea Wills and Lauren Koedyk.

Daniels has been replaced by Reuben Millar, but team officials did not name any other replacements.

The championships began yesterday when Switzerland won the team relay event ahead of Italy and Poland.

The New Zealand team of Kashi Leuchs, Clinton Avery, Rosara Joseph and Carl Jones finished 10th among 14 competing teams.

- NZPA