2007 Oceania Mountain Bike Champs to Thredbo, NSW

Mountain Biking Australia announced this week that the 2007 Oceania Championships will be held in Thredbo, New South Wales, Australia. Downhill, four-cross and cross country will be incorporated as part of the third annual Australian Open of Mountain Biking from March 22-25, 2007. Elite Oceania-region will be competing for over $10,000 in prize money.

“The Oceania’s represent the last opportunity for Australian, New Zealand and some Pacific basin elite riders to contest an international event in our region before the IOC (International Olympic Committee) allocates the number of riders each country can send to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, " said Tony Scott, CEO of Mountain Biking Australia.

Each country can nominate up to 3 riders, depending on the nation's UCI ranking which is determined by the points accumulated by the top three riders from each country. Australia expects to have over 50 riders attending from New Zealand and other Oceania Confederation Nations. "The level of competition will be fierce across all disciplines.” said Scott.

“The village of Thredbo is right behind this event,” said Event Director Colin Battersby. “The race courses and organisation will be tested and fine-tuned at the second round of the MTBA National Series Round 2 this December 16-18.”