Champ rider looking forward to trip to NZ

CHAMP: The reigning 24-hour solo world champion Sonya Looney (pictured), from Canada, is entered to defend her title at the 2016 24-Hour Solo World Championships in Rotorua.PHOTO/COLIN MEAGHER

One of the toughest races on the international mountain bike calendar will be a feature of the 2016 Rotorua Bike Festival in February.

The World Endurance Mountain Bike Organisation (WEMBO) 24-Hour Solo World Championship will start at midday on Saturday, February 20, with some of the world's top endurance riders in the field.

It is the longest and toughest event of the 10-day festival. There will also be a team's category.

Already confirmed in the starting line-up is current women's 24-hour solo world champion Sonya Looney, 32 (Canada).

Looney answered some questions ahead of the upcoming world champs in Rotorua.

- Have you heard about Rotorua before?

Yes, I actually heard of it because of the Enduro World Series, I'm also racing the Trans New Zealand Enduro stage race in the South Island the week after I race WEMBO 2016. I've never been to New Zealand and always wanted to come visit. I'm doing the full tour. People from New Zealand are some of my favourite.

- Goals for 2016?

I'm excited to continue trying to win every stage race I go to next year, which will be two in Chile, South Africa, Canada, and more. But I'm also taking on enduro as a new discipline, too.

There'll be a learning curve for sure, but I'm excited to start learning how to race enduro. I've been riding in that style at home a lot, but I have never raced it.

- What are you looking forward to about this trip to New Zealand?

It'll be winter in British Columbia where I live. We can't ride outside in the winter, so it'll be absolutely wonderful to be flying into summer weather and maybe even a shock to the system. It'll be nice to hear the crunch of my tires on dirt and feel the sunshine on my skin. I also can't wait to see all the beauty that New Zealand has to offer and learn more about the culture. The koru symbol is one of my favourites and has always been my good luck charm as a professional athlete.