VICTORIOUS in the past three editions of Victoria\u2019s elite men\u2019s cross-country final, Bendigo mountain bike star Tasman Nankervis returns to Black Hill in Ballarat this Saturday to defend his title.<\/p>\n
Nankervis, 27, will be chasing a rare feat of four consecutive state championship wins.<\/p>\n
\u201cBlack Hill is one of my favourite courses,\u201d Nankervis said.<\/p>\n
A year ago it was the Nankervis brothers, Tasman and Russell who were first and third at Black Hill.<\/p>\n
The state XC race will play a key role in Tasman\u2019s build-up to the Lifetime Grand Prix in the United States.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a seven-round series of gravel and mountain bike racing,\u201d he said of being selected in a field of 35 to compete from late April until late October.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a huge race calendar that I am looking forward to.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis series is the biggest of its kind in the world and aimed at deciding the ultimate cyclist from gravel and mountain biking backgrounds.\u201d<\/p>\n
Racing on gravel and mountains is what Nankervis did a lot in 2022.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were a lot of highlights last year. I was rapt with my consistency at national titles in four disciplines,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Championship results were 15th in the elite men\u2019s road race national championships at Buninyong near Ballarat, 2nd at marathon mountain bike, 3rd at gravel, and 4th at cross-country MTB.<\/p>\n
Nankervis racks up between 15 and 20 hours training on the bike each week.<\/p>\n
A lot of work is on the road, but also on the purpose-built loops and pump track at Bendigo Mountain Bike Club\u2019s base in Spring Gully.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the past year I have done a lot more running, swimming and gym,\u201d Nankervis said. \u201cIt\u2019s more about being an all-round athlete, not just a bike rider.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
VICTORIOUS in the past three editions of Victoria\u2019s elite men\u2019s cross-country final, Bendigo mountain bike star Tasman Nankervis returns to Black Hill in Ballarat this Saturday to defend his title. Nankervis, 27, will be chasing a rare feat of four consecutive state championship wins. \u201cBlack Hill is one of my favourite courses,\u201d Nankervis said. A […]<\/p>\n