Moseley has been racing mountain bikes for nearly 20 years

Worcestershire's world downhill mountain bike champion Tracy Moseley has confirmed she will be defending her title in 2011.

Moseley, 31, from Malvern, won the 2010 title in September at Mont Sainte-Anne in Canada after 14 years riding on the professional circuit.

"I had started to think how many more years I could go on," she told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"But the chance to wear the rainbow jersey isn't something I'll turn down."

She added: "I'll have another 12 months on the full world cup circuit and then I'll re-assess next year to see if I want to compete at such a high level.

Sadly cycling is not seen on the back pages of the papers, getting any publicity is hard for the sport, but I'm used to in some ways Tracy Moseley

"Whether it's time to start winding down and getting into a teaching role, I am sure I will still be riding and racing at some level."

Moseley began riding mountain bikes in 1992 after a race was held on the family farm, but admitted that getting full time sponsorship is becoming more difficult.

"The whole of downhill mountain biking is funded through bike companies, so we have to rely on them wanting to advertise their bikes by using us as riders," she said.

"It is tough, every year is not guaranteed so you have to sell yourself and show yourself as worthwhile using their brand.

"Sadly cycling is not seen on the back pages of the papers, getting any publicity is hard for the sport, but I'm used to it in some ways."

Moseley was voted sportswoman of the year at the first Malvern Hills awards in December and admitted she was not aware of the local sporting talent in the area.

"I didn't realise it was the first ever event - they have put a lot of work into it and it has highlighted so much talent in the area."

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