MTB: Karen Hanlen scores Olympics spot

Bay of Plenty mountainbiker Karen Hanlen has been selected to represent New Zealand in the London Olympics - with only two years' experience under her belt.

Hanlen, 32, took up the sport in 2010 after buying her first mountainbike on Trade Me. Already well-known in the Whakatane community for her multisport achievements, she quickly rose to the top ranks in the women's mountainbiking arena, taking part in the World Cup circuit last year.

With only one spot available for women's mountainbiking at the London Olympics this year, Hanlen has been locked in a duel with previous Olympian Rosara Joseph for the prized position.

She won the New Zealand national series and the Oceania title, then went on to get a top-10 position in the opening World Cup race in South Africa.

She had two more solid results in Europe but a crash on a brutal course in France last month thwarted her performance. It also claimed Joseph who broke her wrist in two places during practice, to effectively end her hopes of selection.

Hanlen said she was told of her selection on Monday night and had to keep quiet before the official announcement yesterday. "I'm so rapt I was so happy when they officially named me. I got a phone call [on Monday night], but was told I had to keep it quiet."

The women's mountainbiking race is set for August 11 and until then, Hanlen said she would be spending the time building up for the race.

She would be competing in a World Cup race in France on July 28 and would travel to London for the "big one".

"I've had a couple of weeks off since getting home, it's been a long season and I needed to recharge my batteries," she said. "I'll be hitting some endurance sessions and spending long hours on my bike. I've got less than 10 weeks, it's cool - it's exactly what I want to do."

Hanlen won't be travelling alone.

Accompanying her will be husband Mark, her parents and sister, and two work friends. She was also hoping to get help from Air New Zealand in bringing her two children over.

"I've had so much support, it's been great. My work mates have done a lot for me."

Although she said she should now get financial help from the New Zealand Olympic Committee and BikeNZ, Hanlen said the fundraising efforts from the Whakatane community had made her sporting career much easier this year. She said it was the kind of support only found in small towns.

BikeNZ High Performance Director Mark Elliott said he was delighted with the selection of Hanlen in the team.

"To achieve such strong performances with such a short time in the sport, as a working physiotherapist with a young family is outstanding and she has the opportunity now to shine on the biggest stage."

Hanlen will be joining a contingent of Eastern Bay and Rotorua Olympians. Also travelling to London are cyclists Julian Dean and Sam Bewley, kayakers Mike Dawson, Luuka Jones and Lisa Carrington, rower Julia Edward, BMXer Sarah Walker, windsurfer Jon-Paul Tobin and shot putter Valerie Adams.