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Rotorua based event company N-Duro events has joined forces with the well known Cabin Racing team of Mark “Cabin” Leishman and Nic Leary.

In reigning Karapoti Classic champion (Cabin), and the current NZ Elite XC Women’s #2 (Leary) the team already has a well established following amongst the NZ endurance sports community. Now an official team, N-Duro/Cabin Racing will be a formidable force at events throughout NZ and the World in 2009 and beyond.

Saturday’s XTERRA NZ Championship will see the public unveiling of the team. An event at which both athletes will start amongst the favorites in their respective Pro divisions.

With Leishman wearing the hats of Coach, Manager, and Mechanic, the team’s initially focusing on a winter Northern Hemisphere campaign, Septembers MTB worlds in Canberra, Octobers Whaka 100, and the XTERRA World Championship. And N-Duro’s support could not come at a better time.

N-Duro events director Marcus Diprose say’s the partnership is a natural fit. “Cabin and Nic have been long term participants at our events over the years, and more importantly, great ambassadors for the sport of mountain biking throughout New Zealand.  It is great to be able to help them out to realise their goals over the next year.”

The Raetihi based couple couldn’t be happier. “Real support is never easy to come by. N-Duro events have always been high on our list of priorities, and we have a history of singing their praises anyway. So to enter into a partnership with them is pretty cool,” add’s Leishman. “Finding sponsors is hard enough. Finding one’s who share you views, philosophies, and goals is just magic!”

While the team for 2009 is just the Raetihi couple, there are expansion plans a foot. “We are looking at this as step one in a longer term plan. We want Team N-Duro/Cabin Racing to be a grassroots team. Both representing, and supporting those everyday Kiwi’s who just love to ride and race their Mountainbikes.”

Add’s Diprose, “We see this as a long term investment in Team Cabin Racing and we are really excited about the prospects for the future as the team looks at expanding.  For us, starting out with sponsoring Cabin and Nic is a great fit – we have similar philosophies in respect of events – and we all recognise the partnership aspect to the relationship in helping each other out.”

“We believe Cabin and Nic are two of the most marketable athletes in New Zealand and it is great we have entered into this relationship with a view of exposing our brand in different markets and a different way.”

It is a view shared by many. And as such others have been quick to jump on board with the concept. Team N-Duro/Cabin Racing will also be proudly promoting and endorsing the Ridestrong.co.nz initiative. Encouraging Cycling in NZ at all levels.

And while the partnership has serious intentions, Diprose is quick to point out the social benefits. “At the end of the day Cabin and Nic are just great to hang out with, over a coffee or some decent carrot cake!  It makes everything easier.”

Team N-Duro is proudly supported by