Hanlen added to NZ Games mountain biking team

London Olympian Karen Hanlen has been added to New Zealand's Commonwealth Games mountain bike team for Glasgow. Photo / File.

London Olympian Karen Hanlen has been added to New Zealand's Commonwealth Games mountain bike team for Glasgow.

Hanlen has won her place after surgery to correct an injury.

Hanlen had planned retirement earlier in the year after being unable to overcome problems which resulted in a slow opening lap accompanied by leg pain.

She was diagnosed with exercised-induced asthma in January but the problem resurfaced in the opening round of the UCI World Cup in South Africa last month.

BikeNZ medical staff believed the problem related to narrowing in the main artery in the leg, a medical issue that is not uncommon with cyclists because of their riding position.

The surgery last month was a success, and BikeNZ high performance director Mark Elliott said Hanlen was back on her bike and on target for Glasgow.

"It's a real relief for Karen," Elliott said. "She already feels the benefits and her training programme has her back on track for Glasgow.

"Even with this issue, her results in New Zealand and the World Cup were sufficient to earn a nomination, which has been supported by the New Zealand Olympic Committee."

Hanlen joins Kate Fluker in the women's event in Glasgow. She will head to Europe next month for a leadup race.

She joins fellow mountain bikers Anton Cooper, Sam Gaze and Fluker for the cross country race on July 29.