Mountain Biking Australia (MTBA) recently announced a more streamlined process in the awarding of points for the calculation of World Ranking gained at the Australian National Championships. The Championships event is to be held in Mt. Beauty (XC, January 12 - 15), Thredbo (DH and MTNX, January 19 - 22) and Bike Trials (Port Elliot SA, January 28 - 29).
UCI World ranking points awarded down to 20th place for DH and MTNX and 10th place for XC in Elite (male and female) will be automatically put forward to the UCI so long as the rider has either a valid Cycling Australia or a current MTBA membership (previously, only a valid Cycling Australia license holder could be awarded UCI points).
Tony Scott, Executive Officer for MTBA said, "This will help our riders gain very valuable UCI points which will add to their international ranking by contesting the Aussie national championships. Riders, thinking about possible national team selection, will have the points now allowing them to work towards selection in the knowledge that their effort at the nationals was rewarded."
Scott says that the arrangement developed out of the continuing development of the relationship between MTBA and CA. "As far as international competition is concerned, the status quo still remains, a rider must have an internationally endorsed Cycling Australia license to use the points at any World Cup, NORBA or other race listed by the UCI."
