For Mitch Codner, the challenges are just part of this exciting sport.

Codner, 17, of Helensburgh took up mountain bike riding four years ago to follow in the footsteps of his father and older brother.

Training six days a week before a big event and balancing his studies at Heathcote High School, Codner is serious about becoming a professional rider.

"My training mostly consists of on-the-road riding,'' Codner said.

"I limit myself to two hours as that will be the maximum time I'll race for and I try and peak at that two-hour point. I also do weight and gym sessions.''

Codner recently returned from the Mountain Bike World Championships in Canberra.

Competing in the under-19 event, he finished 17th in the world and as the top placed Australian in the cross-country discipline.

"I learnt that everyone steps up and people come out of their shell and put in their best race,'' Codner said.

Codner will still be eligible to compete in the under-19 event when the world championships head to Canada next August.

His immediate focus is on the Australian Championships and national series.

The Australian Championships a one-off race will be held in Adelaide next year and the national series a tour of four races will start in December.

"My goal for the rest of the year is to compete at all the national rounds,'' Codner said. "I want to try and win a few of those and really step it up and go for the national championship.''

To help maintain a balance between schoolwork and his sporting aspirations, Codner has just started his HSC via the Pathways program, meaning he will split his year 12 studies over two years.

Trying to overcome the books has not been his only challenge.

"I've had a few good stacks on the bike,'' Codner said.

"On a training ride at Helensburgh I went over the handle bars and grazed half my back which was a bit painful.

"In practice just before the world championships, I almost broke my thumb.''