Cyclone Gita plays havoc with NZ mountain bike champsKane Fleury/ Northern Outlook Anton Cooper will be out to defend his cross country title this weekend. The effects of Cyclone Gita has forced organisers to split the venues for the Mountain Bike National Championships in Wanaka this weekend. READ MORE* Sam Blenkinsop captures first Oceania downhill mountain bike title* Kiwis star on Commonwealth Games mountain bike courseFellow North Canterbury rider Ben Oliver, also named in the team for the Commonwealth Games, was runner-up to Cooper last year and fourth at the Oceania event. The under-23 race will be contain National Performance Hub riders Oliver, and the Wellington pair of Jack Compton and Oceania under-23 champion Eden Cruise. Sunday's downhill racing at Cardrona Bike Park starts with the timed seeding runs from 11am and racing from 1pm.

Source: Stuff February 22, 2018 21:33 UTC