Top Southland MTBer ready to step up

Top Southland mountainbiker Josh Burnett will test himself in the under 23 ranks for the first time at this weekend’s national mountainbiking championships in Rotorua.

It’s another step up for the 18-year-old who graduated from the Academy Southland two-year programme at the end of last year as the top Year Two student, acknowledged for outstanding overall performance and commitment.

“I’m not too sure what to expect (in Rotorua). I’ll just do everything that I can do and see how I go against the guys that are more my age, some of the other first year guys,” Burnett said.

The Otago University first year law student won the elite junior section and finished fifth overall at the Motatapu last weekend.

“It was a pretty tough day with the long grass and a head wind. I was in the middle of nowhere and third, and then got caught by another couple of guys and we crossed the line together.”

However, it’s his results at the North Island and South Island cross country championships which have provided him with the most confidence.

Burnett finished second overall and first in the under 23 section in both races.

“I’ll know a bit about where I’m at and who to look out for. I’m feeling pretty good about it.”

Rotorua, arguably the New Zealand capital of mountainbiking, is a regular stop for Burnett and he largely knows what to expect in terms of what will be under his tires.

“I’ve ridden pretty much all the tracks there. Rotorua usually has the same course, but they are trying to mix it up a bit, so I think we are riding some of the tracks backwards and there might be a little bit of new stuff.”

Burnett rode for New Zealand at the world championships in Switzerland last year and will look to gain more overseas experience during the mid-semester break this year.