New Zealand's Anton Cooper claimed the men's elite title for the third straight year ©Oceania Cycling

Hosts New Zealand proved the dominant force at Oceania Mountain Bike Championships in Dunedin.

Anton Cooper and Samara Sheppard successfully defended their titles in front of a home crowd at Signal Hill as they build towards the Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast in April.

Glasgow 2014 gold medallist Cooper produced a strong display in the six-lap course to win his men’s elite cross-country title for the third consecutive year.

He was followed in the opening half of the race by compatriot Sam Gaze, but Cooper was soon on his own as his rival suffered a mechanical problem.

Cooper eased through to claim victory in a time of 1 hour 21min 54sec.

Having recovered from his mechanical, Gaze came through to secure the silver medal in 1:23:51, with Australia’s Cameron Ivory completing the podium in 1:26.33.

"I am very happy with my progress," Cooper said.

"It’s nice to get early season wins because it gives you confidence for the rest of the season.

"There is some really tough competition in the Oceania region so to get the win is always nice."

New Zealand's Samara Sheppard defended her women's elite title ©Cycling New Zealand
New Zealand's Samara Sheppard defended her women's elite title ©Cycling New Zealand

Sheppard made it back-to-back women’s title, the local rider breaking clear on the five-lap circuit to earn a solo win.

She came across the line in a time of 1:24:28, with Australia’s Holly Harris and Kate Fluker of New Zealand rounding off the medal places in 1:27:56 and 1:29:35 respectively.

The women’s under-23 title was earned by New Zealand’s Charlotte Rayner in a time of 1:18:57, Australia’s Charlotte Culver ending as the runner-up in 1:25.10 in a race where there were only two riders. 

New Zealand swept the podium in the men’s under-23 race, Eden Cruise crossing the line in a winning time of 1:11.20.

He was followed by Henry Jaine and Paul Wright, who finished in 1:13.37 and 1:15.11 respectively.

It was a different story in the men’s under-19 competition, Cameron Wright leading an Australian top three by crossing in 57:53.

Matthew Dinham and Sam Fox followed in times of 59:27 and 59:39.

New Zealand’s Phoebe Young won the women’s under-19 event 57:58, with Australia’s Teagan Atherstone ending as the runner-up in 58:35.

Ruby Ryan of New Zealand clocked 1:00:10 for the bronze medal.

The Championships are due to conclude tomorrow with downhill races.