Jenni King & Daniel McConnell, the reigning Aussie national cross country champions are aiming for titles in the cross country championship in Canberra. Both the ace riders predicted hard fight at the latest Subaru Australian Mountain Bike Championship 2013 in Canberra. The championship is scheduled for 20th-24th of February, 2013.
Stromlo Forest Park trails would be hosting the best of mountain bikers in Australia where they would be vying for the desired gold and green jerseys of national champion in cross country trials, eliminator and downhill disciplines.
McConnell, the 2 times Olympian and only male biker from Australia in London, would be head-to-head with the fellow Victorians, Paul Ploeg and Chris Jongewaard.
“I had gold and green jersey last year and it was the first time when I could step up and gain some great results”, stated McConnell while speaking about the international season where he enhanced his UCI international rank from 80th to 22nd. “It was cool & I received fair recognition. It would surely be amazing to have that very chance again”, added in McConnell.
Jongewaard, the 5 times national cross country champion, stays undefeated in All Mountain Cup National series 2013, post his victories in the initial 2 rounds at Thredbo and Mount Buller. Paul, a 4 time former national champion (junior), would be focusing on standing out in Canberra. He returned to championship recently, after his shoulder surgery a couple of weeks back. Ploeg sought great success in Thredbo by clinching 2 of the 3 stage wins.
“Chris is in fair form & I believe he is the dude to beat. Ploeg is also there. There would be some guys to check out this time”, remarked McConnell. “It’s a pretty technical course, thus there would always be some surprises”, McConnell stressed while discussing on the 2009 course for World Championships that includes the infamous “hammerhead” section.