Blair will compete in the elite men Cross-Country category and is currently undergoing preparations along with the rest of the six man elite squad at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.

The Cooma local recently arrived home from overseas after a gruelling few months which saw him compete on the international stage in places as far away as Canada, Europe and South Africa. His performances in these World Cup events including 55th in Bromont, Canada and 59th in Pieter Maritzburg, South Africa in just his first full overseas season earned him the national team call-up.

Blair said coming 50-odd in a race might not sound like much but given the racing was hard it was a good experience.

“Finishing in the top 50 is awesome because World Cup events are big races with 200-odd competitors and to finish ahead of riders in professional teams is fantastic,” he said.

Blair said he had to adapt to conditions in different countries.

“In Belgium there was so much climbing, in Canada it was muddy all the time and South Africa was just really fast so you had to be super fit,” he said.

Blair was helped overseas by partner Rosie Barnes who was unable to compete herself due to a re-occurring back injury. Blair said doing the events privateer style without a works team behind him was a challenge.

“It’s a bit tough, you can only take so many spare parts. When things go wrong we would have to run off to buy parts. Rosie was a great help and did heaps of work for me which made it easier,” he said.

Blair last raced for his country as a junior back in 1996 and 1997 and said it had been a long time coming for the 30 year-old.

“Its really good to finally realise this goal. I’ve wanted to get back into the team and I’m looking forward to racing well at the World Championships,” he said.