Mountain biking: Peters keen to home in on cross-country title

Rotorua's Dirk Peters is looking to claim a national cross country title tomorrow in Rotorua. Photo / Stephen Parker

Dirk Peters has a secret weapon heading into the New Zealand Mountain Bike Championships - his knowledge of the course.

National titles are up for grabs this weekend in Rotorua with cross-country races contested tomorrow and the downhill discipline contested on Sunday.

Peters is one of New Zealand's finest cross-country riders and will be among the favourites to win the men's elite race tomorrow in the Whakarewarewa Forest.

"This year is probably one of the strongest fields we have had, it is going to be quite a competitive race," Peters said.

"I'd love to win it, that is definitely the goal. It is going to be pretty hard but you have to be in to win."

To win the title, Peters will need to defeat reigning champion Anton Cooper, 19, from Christchurch.

The pair have formed a good rivalry in recent years and Peters hoped his local knowledge of the course would help him tomorrow.

"Racing on my home track with home support, it will hopefully lift me for the race," he said.

"I grew up here and I know the forest like the back of my hand. I spend so much time in here."

Peters said last year's race, also held in Rotorua, was excellent and he hoped for similar support from the home crowd.

"Last year was awesome. That would have to be the most enjoyable race I have had in New Zealand."

Peters said he wanted to take the crown off Cooper tomorrow but explained he would be happy as long as he gave an honest attempt.

Other contenders racing tomorrow, in the combined men's elite and under-23 race, include Whakatane's Carl Jones, Rotorua's Sam Shaw, Te Awamutu's Sam Gaze and Palmerston North's Mathew Waghorn.

Riders will press not only for national honours tomorrow but also for Commonwealth Games selection.

Peters said national selectors can take up to three male cross country riders to the games in July but it depended on the quality of the riders.

"You have to ensure you are top three in NZ and not only that but capable to compete at an international level," he said.

"That is one of the reasons this year has quite a competitive field."

Peters is racing for the Rotorua-based NZXC team.

Fellow NZXC rider Kate Fluker, from Queenstown, is the favourite to win the women's elite race tomorrow, following some good early form this season.

London Olympian Karen Hanlen will be her main opposition and will look to defend her title in the race.

Other contenders include Wellington's Samara Sheppard and Rotorua's Katie O'Neill and Sonia Foote.

The elite races begin at 2pm tomorrow.