Hanlen geared up to defend title today
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| Photo [Supplied.] |
Olympian Karen Hanlen is geared to defend her cross country title at the BikeNZ national mountain bike championships in Rotorua tomorrow.
The Whakatane rider is using the year to stay closer to home and try some alternative events, although she has a firm focus on next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Hanlen said she is looking forward to the championships on a number of fronts.
"It's so nice racing close to home and it means all my friends and family can come and support the amazing event," Hanlen said.
She is also a fan of the world-renowned trails in Rotorua particularly tomorrow’s race course in the famed Whakarewarewa Forest.
"I love riding in the redwoods, the trails are always fast and flowing and heaps of fun. It's always a great atmosphere in Rotorua and I love seeing so many people of all levels out enjoying the sport of mountain biking."
Hanlen, a mother of two, is not planning a prolonged riding stint in Europe this year.
"I have decided to stay closer to home and race more of our long distance iconic events."
This includes the Oceania Championships in Tasmania next month and she is also hoping to again compete in the national Xterra Championships in Rotorua in April.
"I plan to have another go at Xterra if I can get myself accustomed to swimming and running again."
She hopes to also compete in the world championships which are in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa in August.
"While I won’t be in Europe there is still plenty to keep me busy. My big focus is on next year’s Commonwealth games in Scotland and so 2013 is about having more time with family and saving hard to make it all possible."
Tomorrow’s cross country national with age group and masters races from 10.30am with the elite, under-23 and under-19 classes from 2pm.
The gravity riders have practice tomorrow with time seeding runs from 11am and racing from 1pm.
The championships are part of the inaugural Rotorua Bike Festival.
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