A strong field was pushed to their limits at the NSW MTBO championships in Taree last weekend.
Heavy rain in the days before the double header turned the usually fast single tracks into muddy and slippery paths that made for longer times than usual.
It was all good physical and mental practice for this weekend's Australian champs in Gympie, Queensland. A group of 25 Kiwis entered both events and will be out to claim more of the spoils north of the border.
Kay Haarsma has more here.