Cabin joins NZ MTB Crown organisation

Cabin joins NZ MTB Crown organisation

The New Zealand MTB Crown is proud to welcome well known kiwi mountain biker and former Bike NZ employee Mark Leishman (or Cabin as he is otherwise known), to its organisational team.

"Cabin really is one of NZ's most passionate riders, who has always been more about helping others then himself. He will fit in really well and I'm looking forward to tapping into his massive amount of experiance" says Kashi Leuchs, NZ MTB Crown founder.

Cabin is a former NZ representative XC athlete, who competed at the top of his sport for 14 years with major success's including the Karapoti classic and Oceania Short Track titles. He also extended his endevours to XTERRA off-road triathlon where he achieved a World Top 20 ranking as a Pro.

"I’m feel quite honoured really to be offered the opportunity to work on developing the NZ Crown. For me it’s a real opportunity to unite and bring together aspects of our sport that can become fragmented; as it both recognises and rewards the dedication and commitment of riders and volunteers at the grassroots of MTB and CX. Which for me is what it’s all about. Kashi and Tom have been quite visionary in getting this off the ground and I only hope I can do it justice going forward!” says Mark.

Throughout his career, Cabin became heavily interested in the areas of rider development, sponsorship, and professionalism. Rather than be frustrated by lack of investment in the sport he saw it as a challenge. Setting up and establishing the Aunt Betty’s Cycling Team, replicating what he saw internationally. At the time revolutionary in the sport in NZ, the team supported a roster of 8 riders, and brought in investment from outside the industry. The team was an unqualified success and remains one of Cabin’s most cherished achievements. The model still acts as a template today for others such as NZXC Racing, and Cabin regularly mentors other athletes in the area of professionalism.

With a special interest in rider development, Cabin has a passion for working with the grassroots. Learning to ride a bike and fundamental skill development. He has spent a number of years working in cycling development. Initially for BikeNZ, and later for Sport Bay of Plenty. During this time he researched, wrote, and piloted the “Learn 2 Ride” fundamental skills program now utilised by CyclingNZ throughout the country. He delivered this program himself in various forms over a 6 year period across the Rotorua region – putting more than 5000 riders (and instructors) through fundamental skills training programs.

The NZ MTB Crown aims to help develop the sport of mountain biking by offering a grass roots lead platform that gives riders and events motivation and the tools to improve.

ENDS

© Scoop Media