A career high second position in the UCI Downhill World Cup event at Fort William a few weeks ago has boosted New Zealander Brook Macdonald’s confidence levels exponentially ahead of the UCI MTB and Trials World Championships which take place at Cascades MTB Park in Pietermaritzburg from 26 August – 1 September.
New Zealander Brook Macdonald (Trek World Racing) comes to South Africa seeking a top five finish at this year’s UCI MTB and Trials World Championships.
Photo: Supplied/ Gameplan Media
The 21-year-old is hoping to maintain his good run of form as he approaches this year’s pinnacle showdown and claim a highly sought-after top five finish at this year’s World Champs.
The Hawkes Bay local is in top form at the moment and had Macdonald not suffered a crash in the World Cup second round in Val de Sole, the event’s final standings may well have taken a slightly different appearance.
“My form has been great!” said Macdonald. “It started with me winning the New Zealand National Title for my first time earlier this year and then a career best at Fort William.”
“Unfortunately I crashed in round two at Val de Sole while lying fourth but otherwise I’m really happy with how things have been going for me,” added the Trek World Racing rider.
Currently ranked fourth on the downhill rankings globally, Macdonald’s desired top five finish at the World Championships is understandable. “I would love to end in the top five!”
The Trek World Racing member has been to Pietermaritzburg before which he believes will be to his advantage when he hits the World Champs track.
“I love the area and really enjoyed my time there previously. For various reasons I’ve struggled a bit to get the results I feel I can achieve on the PMB track but with my new team and new form, hopefully that will change!”
“I have a good idea of what to expect and have worked hard to train appropriately for the race,” he added confidently.
The current New Zealand champion has been steadily improving since he left the junior ranks and should this trend continue he may well find himself a regular title contender in the not too distant future.
“I was the junior World Champion in 2008 and I was 8th in the world in 2012 so I’m happy with how I’ve developed thus far and hopefully I can keep working hard and keeping achieving what I set out to,” explained Macdonald.
The World Championship is going to be a massive challenge for the Kiwi and he has singled out a couple of riders that he feels will take some beating if he is to ultimately be crowned World Champion in 2013.
“The guy to watch will be Greg Minnaar for sure but Aaron Gwin, Gee Atherton and Mick Hannah are also guys that I’m sure will be right up there,” mentioned Macdonald.
Bearing the colours of one’s country is an honour few have the privilege of experiencing and one that Macdonald is looking to enjoying with a few of his close family members in August.
“It’s the pinnacle to represent your country,” explained Macdonald. “My Mum and my Grand-mother are both coming out from New Zealand to support me in PMB and then we’ll head off and do a safari afterwards to take advantage of the local beauty of South Africa.”
The UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships takes place at Cascades MTB Park in Pietermaritzburg from 26 August to 1 September 2013, and will be preceded by the UCI MTB Masters World Championships from21 to 25 August. More information can be found at www.mtbworldchamps.co.za
