Myles to master the world on familiar soil

Very few people get the opportunity to compete at two World Championships at the exact same venue.

But that’s exactly what Myles Higgins will do come May 16-19 when he lines up at the UCI Masters MTB World Championships in Cairns.

The Shepperton mountain biker is no stranger to international competition, having raced at the Masters Worlds in 1992 and then again at Cairns nearly 30 years ago.

Higgins competed in both downhill and cross country at the Smithfield Mountain Bike Park in ‘96.

“I finished with the silver in downhill and I was the first Australian rider home in fourth on a tough cross-country course,” he said.

“I still remember the climb.”

It hasn’t been a clean lead-up to Worlds for the multiple national champion.

A crash in practice saw Myles five weeks off the bike with a collapsed lung and broken ribs.

However, he can’t wait to take on the visitors again around the iconic Far North Queensland course when he races in the 75-79 category.

“Although I am at the end of the age group I will be trying as hard as possible. Bring on the competition.”

With work on the course ongoing, organizers have confirmed the iconic Jacobs Ladder will return as part of the cross-country course.

A number of the current Masters National Champions will be out to add the rainbow jersey to their collection in front of a home crowd next month.

To enter the UCI Masters Mountain Bike World Championships head here.