National series opener draws heavyweight XCO fields in Canberra

An important weekend awaits Australian cross-country riders ahead of the UCI MTB World Cup season.

Up for grabs over the next two days at the opening round of the 2023 AusCycling Cross-Country National Series in Canberra are valuable UCI points.

Saturday and Sunday’s XCO races have been categorized as a UCI C2 and Junior World Series races which allows Australian riders to gain points to improve their start position at major international events.

The back-to-back races are also compulsory for Under 19 riders who are chasing selection for the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Scotland in August.

It is also the first and only major race ahead of the 2023 AusCycling Mountain Bike National Championships held at Thredbo from 8-12th February.

The elite fields are jammed packed with talent.

Three-time World Cup winner and current world number four Rebecca Henderson will be the heavy favourite in the elite women with 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medalist Zoe Cuthbert her biggest threat.

While in the men’s race, the likes of Sam Fox, Cameron Wright and Dominic Paolilli will be out to shake up the old guard of Dan McConnell, Cameron Ivory and Brendan Johnston in a strong field of 23.

Also lining up is former U23 National Champion and Olympian Scott Bowden.

Jack Ward who is the current Junior Men’s National Champion will have plenty of competition in the Under 19 field both days with Ruby Dobson also out to keep her number one status in check in the Junior Women.

You can find the start lists and timing here:

Saturday: https://my.raceresult.com/230762/

Sunday: https://my.raceresult.com/231379/