Mikaela Kofman on Cairns World Cup

Mikaela Kofman will be the lone rider from Scott-3Rox to race at the World Cup in Cairns, Australia this weekend. Australia has returned to the elite level mountain bike calendar for the first time since hosting the 2009 World Championships, and Cairns is an all-new course.

“It is very exciting that the course in Cairns is a new venue because for the most part it will ensure a level playing field,” said Kofman, who last raced in Australia for World Championships in 2009. “Although many of the racers came directly from the world cup in South Africa and have had the opportunity to get on course for the two weeks leading into the race, the unpredictable weather will change the course in a flash minimizing any advantage one might have from the extra time on course.”

Kofman is planning to use the race to get acclimatized to the World Cup competition before arriving at the European rounds next month, where she has more experience. However, the Canadian recently won a silver medal at the Pan Am mountain bike championships, in March.

Because the rest of the 3Rox team will be racing in the US this weekend, Kofman doesn’t have the same support structure that she’s used to. However, Kofman will have some friendly faces on hand to help out.

“I will be helped by a combination of Scott Swisspower and the Canadian national team coach Dan Proulx,” said Kofman. “Dan is my main supporter here.

“You definitely take for granted a lot of the little details that the staff manages until they aren’t there to take care of them. I am definitely missing the whole 3Rox gang and my amazing mechanics Scott Kelly and Gershom Morris this weekend.”

Other Canadians taking part in the cross country World Cup include Emily Batty, and marathon racer Cory Wallace.

World Cup regulars Catharine Pendrel and Max Plaxton are home resting after early season injuries, while Geoff Kabush aims to defend his victory at the Whiskey 50 race in Arizona.