Following several weeks of setbacks in preparation for the World Championships, there are still 6 riders who will take on the forest tracks of Slovakia in the WMTBOC in September.

After sustaining an elbow injury, Anthony Darr has been racing well in NSW and will take his place in the team. Unfortunately, Paul Darvodelsky crashed heavily during a road cycling race and sustained two broken collar bones and several cracked ribs. At the time of writing he is well on the way to recovery but will be unable to take his place riding in the Team. He will be travelling to Slovakia as Manager/Coach.

Both Melissa Thomas and Tony Clark withdrew from the team due to personal and work reasons.

Alex Randall and Adrian Jackson travelled to Europe early to get in some racing in Finland and Estonia and both are racing very well.

The team which will represent Australia at WMTBOC 2006 is Mary Fien, Carolyn Jackson, Anna Sheldon, Anthony Darr, Adrian Jackson and Alex Randall.

The team meets in Prague on 25/26 August and goes to Czech world ranking events on 27/28. From there to Banska Bystrica for the final training camp and WOC 5/11 September.

Given the results achieved in the past by all the members of this team, and the performances in Europe so far by Alex and Adrian, we hope for some great results in all disciplines in 2005.

Ann Scown
Chair of selectors