Mountain biking: Strong NZ team picked for worlds

New Zealand will boast arguably their strongest team across the board in recent memory for September's mountain bike world championships.

Mountain Bike NZ has named their squad for the championships to be held in Austria, with the downhill and four-cross to be staged at Leogang and the crosscountry and trials at Saalfelden.

The initial New Zealand list has been whittled down to 24 confirmed selections, with a further 10 riders selected pending further confirming results. Five selected riders have taken up the option to defer attendance this year as they focus on a longer term campaign next year.

The squad includes 15 riders currently ranked in the top 30 in the world, led by a powerful group of five downhill riders currently ranked in the top 20.

Twenty-year-old Hawkes Bay rider Brook Macdonald is the highest-ranked downhill rider at fourth in the world, with national champion Justin Leov at No 10 and Wellington's Sarah Atkin No 16 in the women's rankings.

In the crosscountry, Whakatane's Karen Hanlen and Wellington's Rosara Joseph are 23rd and 27th, respectively, on world standings.

Wellington's Samara Sheppard is sixth among under 23 riders, while North Canterbury prospect Anton Cooper is seventh in junior men.

Mountain Bike NZ performance director Andrea Murray said the quality in both downhill and crosscountry is probably stronger than it has ever been.

"They include not only some of our experienced professionals but some outstanding young prospects, given that Macdonald is just 20, Cooper is 17 and Sheppard only 22.

"It is very exciting that we have a number of young riders in the sport and the focus is on nurturing their development to the highest levels."