Mountain biking: Team for world champs announced

BikeNZ today announced its mountain biking team for the world championships in Livingo, Italy next month.

Included in the 30-member team are two defending world champions in Vanessa Quin -- women's downhill, and Scarlett Hagen -- junior women's downhill.

Completing the strong New Zealand presence are 2004 Olympic cross country representatives Kashi Leuchs and Robyn Wong with 2005 New Zealand men's downhill champion John Kirkcaldie and cross country champion Mike Northcott.

Rosara Joseph, women's cross country champion, also made the cut.

The 2005 Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships will run from August 29 to September 4.

New Zealand squad:

Men
Elite cross country: Kashi Leuchs (Dunedin), Mike Northcott (Mangakino), Stuart Houltham (Taupo), Wayne Hiscock (Wellington).

Under-23 cross country: Marcus Roy (Te Anau), Aaron Tuckerman (Blenheim).

Junior cross country: Clinton Avery (Rotorua), Luke Mills (Nelson), Carl Jones (Whakatane).

Elite downhill: John Kirkcaldie (Wellington), Des Curry (Rotorua), Nathan Rankin (Levin), Justin Leov (Blenheim), Tom Holland (Rotorua), Craig Pattle (Rotorua), Glenn Haden (Wanganui).

Junior downhill: Mike Skinner (Auckland), Samuel Blenkinsop (Wanganui), Kieran Bennett (Nelson), Cameron Cole (Hamilton), Wyn Masters (Wanganui).

Women
Elite cross country: Rosara Joseph (Wellington), Sonia Foote (Rotorua), Robyn Wong (Wellington), Carissa Wilkes (Auckland), Jenny Smith (US).

Junior cross country: Chelsea Wills (Auckland), Michelle Bellamy (Nelson).

Elite downhill: Vanessa Quin (Tauranga)

Junior downhill: Scarlet Hagen (Queenstown).

- NZPA