Mountain Bike National Series at Coronet Peak this

Mountain Bike National Series at Coronet Peak this Weekend

A record number of top mountain bikers will be taking to the1.6km downhill mountain biking track at Coronet Peak in this weekend’s 2007 New Zealand Community Trust MTB National Series.

The second leg in the series kicks off on Friday (January 12) with a training day where all riders can put in extra practice runs on the mountain ahead of the weekend’s official races.

On Saturday, spectators and riders alike can expect heaps of thrills as New Zealand’s top riders as well as a line up of visiting international riders battle it out in the Downhill.

The Coronet Peak leg of the series concludes on Sunday with athletes heading into the Cross Country event.

Southern Alpine Recreation sales and marketing manager David Ovendale says sightseers are encouraged to take in the action over all three days.

Both the downhill and cross country tracks will be closed to the riding public on Friday and Saturday, and the downhill track only will be open to public riders on Sunday.

“Spectators can expect to see New Zealand’s best riders including Scarlett Hagen, Jennifer Makgill, Vanessa Quin, Nathan Rankin, Marcus Roy and Stuart Houltham as well as a number of international competitors,” he says.

The series will culminate with a one-off race for the New Zealand Championship being held in Nelson from January 26-28.

As well as the new track and other mountain biking terrain, Coronet Peak Mountain Biking offers a rental and repair shop at the base area operated in conjunction with Outside Sports.

Coffee, light meals, beer or wine will be served at the Coronet Peak Brasserie and there’s seating on the deck for those who want to take in the action from a safe distance or take part in a life sized game of chess on the giant chess set.

Season passes are available at $249 adult and $199 youth. A special deal is available to 2006 nzski season passes holders at $149 adult and $99 youth. The passes are only available through eBuy, nzski’s secure online season pass shop at www.nzski.com.

Day passes and single ride sightseeing passes are available at Coronet Peak or downtown at selected information centres and bike shops.

The summer mountain biking season is expected to close on 28th February.

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