Mark Williams optimistic to win the 2012 Motatapu Mountain Bike race
Motatapu Mountain Bike race is likely to take place on the 10th of March and the Race Director, Gemma Boyle is expecting a local to claim the top spot at the race.
Mark Williams finished the race in the top 10 for the previous five years. Boyle believes that Mark has strong chances to fulfil the crowd’s expectations this year.
She briefed that Williams is currently training hard for the Cape Epic race, scheduled in South Africa, and his recent performance proves his superb form.
The cyclist’s previous experience of the track will definitely help him for the 2012 version of the race.
Mark is looking ahead to ride the Oceania Championships and the Motatapu Mountain Bike in the new year.
He briefed that Oceania and Motatapu are his two main goals for the season ahead.
Williams told the media, "With some of the boys being away at the Oceania, it leaves a few podium spots, I should have a good shot at one of those podium positions".
His main competitor in the coming race will be Brent Miller from Christchurch.
Mark was almost a minute behind Miller during the 2011 version of the race and he is keen to claim the top podium position this year.
He said, "With the track hard and fast this year with the dry weather we've been having, we should have a crack at the record time. While it will be hard to beat Anton (Cooper)'s time (1:48:43), with a hard track and favourable winds we should be in with
a shot".
Mark has chosen a 29-inch bike for the Motatapu race which is expected to be more suited to the racing conditions.
Race organisers have taken a good initiative by announcing special prize money for anyone who sets a new course record this year.
The Motatapu race will also feature the women’s category and Boyle is confident that Kate Fluker can do the job pretty well for the home side.
She will be challenged by a considerable number of riders, with Emily Miazga as her top challenger.
Miazga won the race last year and she is eager to make it two in a row at the Motatapu Mountain Bike Challenge.
The two riders, Mark and Kate will be hugely cheered by the home crowd that is awaiting a local win since a long time.
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