ANZ Sports Scene: What it takes to go flying down a hill

What does it take for a young mountain biker rider to race downhill at breakneck speeds?

It's 'adrenalin' Peter Bethell told ANZ Sports Scene in the latest episode launched today.

"There's definitely a bit of adrenalin there. We do like that," the 22-year-old said.

"You're always looking for places to go faster. Keeping pushing yourself all the time. You're always wanting to improve just little things to get a little bit faster. Those little differences so when you're racing, split seconds really here and there."

Bethell recently achieved a second placing in the NZ National DH series and says the ultimate goal is the UCI World Cup series and then at the end of that, the one-off world champs.

"It's pretty full-on in terms of downhill racing. It's a three to five minute run and if you're at world champs it's one run that counts."

Bethell said it's the fear of racing at top speeds that can often be the driving motivator.

"It's overcoming those fears that is the accomplishment."

Also in the latest ANZ Sports Scene episode, Lydia Ko offers some putting advice to Marc Peard while Laura McGoldrick catches up with Black Caps bowler Ben Wheeler.