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New Zealand National Championships - NE
Wellington, New Zealand, February 21-24, 2008
The Races
- Race 1 - February 21: Hill climb
- Race 2 - February 22: 4X
- Race 3 - February 22: Dual Slalom
- Race 4 - February 23: Cross Country
- Race 5 - February 24: Short Track
- Race 6 - February 24: Downhill
Hagen and Bennett out to defend their national titles
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The downhill will showcase top riders from around the country. Along with Bennett and Hagen, recent winners in the North Island and South Island Downhill Cups will be eager to claim the National Jersey. Nathan Rankin has been in good form throughout the Island Cup series winning the South Island Cup. Other riders to watch include Wyn Masters and Michael Skinner. The winner of the North Island Downhill Cup Harriet Harper and UK rider Tracey Mosley will be putting pressure on Hagen in the elite women's race.
The downhill is just one of six events that comprise the NZCT National Mountain Bike Championships. Kicking off the championships will be the Hill Climb Championships at Mt. Victoria on Thursday, February 21. The Hillclimb will be held close to the central city and timed to overlap with lunch hour.
Mt. Albert will be the venue for the thrills and spills of dual slalom and 4X racing Friday evening.
NZCT North Island cross country cup winner Stuart Houltham will be looking to lose the runner up tag that he picked up at the 2007 nationals. Houltham recently won the NZCT North Island Cross Country Cup. In the women's cross country, South Island Cross Country Cup winner Cathy Harmer will be lining up against North Island Cup winner Katherine O'Neill. Other riders to watch will include Rotorua riders Monique Avery and Genevieve Matthews.
