Seven Otago riders are in the 30-strong New Zealand team to compete in the world mountain biking championships in Andorra starting on September 1. Sports reporter Robert van Royen caught up with three of them just over a month out from the start of the competition.

Kate Fluker (27)
Elite women's cross-country

Alanna Columb (26)
Elite women's downhill

Paul Wright (17)
Men's under-19 cross-country

 

RVR: How's the preparation going for the world championships?

Fluker: All going to plan so far. I have had two weeks back in Queenstown after the first half of the World Cup season.

Columb: Preparation has been going good.

Wright: The preparation is going well for worlds, I have been training hard and haven't been sick.

RVR: What are your plans between now and the event?

Fluker: I'm heading overseas shortly to finish the world cup season. I head away to compete in the final three world cups in Canada the United States and Italy.

Columb: I am about to head off for my first world cup race of the year next week in Canada.

Wright: I am going to Whistler (Canada) early next month to race and watch Crankworx, then to Andorra.

RVR: What sort of training have you been putting in lately?

Fluker: Being in Queenstown after 32degC heat has been challenging. So there has been a lot of indoor bike sessions and recovery rides on the Frankton Track when it has been warm enough. I have been doing only around 12-15 hours a week, as I have a lot of racing to do before world champs.

Columb: I have been training about three to four hours a day. I've been doing gym work, trail riding and yoga.

Wright: I have been doing about 14-15 hours a week, with a lot of road biking and not that much mountain biking. I have been doing a lot of core and gym work. It is pretty much over as I am starting to taper for the event.

RVR: Have you competed in the world championships before?

Fluker: Yes, one other time. It was last year in Norway, where I placed 25th.

Columb: No.

Wright: No.

RVR: When do you head to Andorra?

Fluker: I am meeting the rest of the team there around August 23.

Columb: I race world cups, so I leave next week. I'll already be in Italy, before heading to Andorra on August 26.

Wright: August 18. I am meeting the team there, as I will be coming from Whistler.

RVR: Do you know much about the competition you will be up against?

Fluker: Yes, I do. That is one of the beauties of racing the world cups. It allows you to get used to the intensity of the races and learn how to race against the world's best.

Columb: I know I'm up against some professional and experienced riders.

Wright: No. I really don't know much about what to expect.

RVR: What are your expectations in Andorra?

Fluker: My aim for the season is to be placing in the top 20. So I would be stoked to continue this at world champs.

Columb: I would like to finish in the top five.

Wright: I expect to get a top-40 result, as I am only in my first year in the under-19 category. I have to learn not to set my goals too high before the race or else I usually go too hard within the first few laps and fade towards the end.

RVR: How long have you been mountain biking for?

Fluker: Six years.

Columb: About three years.

Wright: Seven years.