Altitude, rain and extreme cold proved far from ideal ingredients for New Zealand mountainbikers in cross-country competition on the final day of the UCI World Series in Andorra.
At over 1000m, the UCI World Cup stop in the small mountainous country perched in the Pyrennes between France and Spain has always proved a test, and coupled with plummeting temperatures and rain, it proved an extreme challenge.
New under-23 women’s world champion Sammie Maxwell had to settle for a gallant fourth place after the sudden drop in temperatures saw the diminutive rider struggle in the conditions, falling a few times on the final lap. She pushed hard to the lead from the start to open a handy advantage before the conditions worsened and the European challengers made their move.
The NZ MTB Academy rider from Taupo hung in to pick up fourth place and maintain fourth overall in the championship with one more round remaining in Europe next month and two in North America to complete the season.
“It’s no secret today was tough,” said Maxwell. “It was cold and I suffered a lot, as the race went on my body got colder and the ability to perform at the top level dropped. I’m proud of my fight and am glad to say I have learned a lot from these 60 mins of racing - mostly about fuelling and how to dress properly in the cold.”
Fellow Kiwis Mia Cameron and Annabel Bligh finished further back with their fellow Team Talleys riders Ethan Rose and Matthew Wilson mid-pack in the under-23 men’s race.
It was a similar story in the elite men for Anton Cooper, who has never found much favour at altitude. The Trek Factory rider finished 41st from the 112 starters, and fellow kiwi Ben Oliver 62nd on a thoroughly challenging day that thwarted several leading contenders.
Cooper remains competitive in the men’s standings at 16th, with a final European round at Les Gets in France next month.
The kiwi downhill riders have a further round this week at Loudenvielle in France before Les Gets in three weeks, and two final rounds at USA and Canada to complete the championship season.
Results:
Under-23 men cross-country: Riley Amos (USA) 1:01.14, 1; Adrien Bochis (FRA) at 13s, 2; Luca Martin (FRA) at 31s, 3. Also NZers: Ethan Rose (Team Talleys) at 5:38, 26; Matthew Wilson (Team Talleys) at 6:22, 31; Caleb Bottcher at 10:04, 61; Bailey Fredericksen dnf.
Under-23 women: Noelle Buri (SUI) 59:56, 1; Ronja Blochlinger (SUI) at 24s, 2; Noemie Garner (FRA) at 58s, 3. Also NZers: Sammie Maxwell (NZ MTB Academy) at 1:18, 4; Mia Cameron (Team Talleys) 13:37, 38; Annabel Bligh (Team Talleys) 14:16, 40.
Elite men: Mathias Fluckiger (SUI) 1:28.03, 1; Thomas Griot (FRA) at 23s, 2; Tom Pidcock at 44s, 3. Also NZers: Anton Cooper at 7:58, 41, Ben Oliver at 1lap 62.
Elite women: Mona Mitterwallner (AUT) 1:14.09, 1; Alessandra Keller (SUI) at 34s, 2; Pauline Ferrand Prevot (FRA) at 1:28, 3.