New Zealand’s Lewis Bower produced a brave performance in the under-23 men’s road race at the UCI Road World Championships in Zurich, Switzerland today.

The Auckland teenager, who rides for Groupama-FDJ development team, jumped clear early in the 174km road race, joined by leading American Cole Kessler and Great Britain’s Robert Donaldson, who opened a handy break for the first 60kms around Lake Zurich.

They were caught on the climb on to the first of four Zurich city circuits on another wet day, with the kiwi rider digging deep to finish in the second peloton group in 40th place, 15 minutes down on winner Niklas Berhens of Germany.

After the three leaders were caught the kiwi rider pushed on, gradually losing time on the lead group that was whittled down to a handful of riders on the final lap with Berhens out-sprinting Slovakia’s Martin Scrcek for the title with Belgian Alex Segaert in third place, 28 seconds back.

There were several small groups to finish in the tough conditions before the kiwi rider, who turns 20 next month, came home with the second main peloton after courageous performance.

Earlier Cambridge rider Eltje Malzbender gained her second bronze medal, coming home third in the women’s T1 para-cycling road race, after her third placing in the time trial.

Tomorrow’s attention turns to the elite women with Niamh Fisher-Black and under-23 riders Ella Wyllie and Henrietta Christie representing New Zealand in the 154km race that features 194 riders from 48 countries.

Results:

Under-23 Men Road Race,174km: Niklas Berhens (GER) 3:57.24, 1; Martin Svrcek (SVK) same time, 2; Alex Segaert (BEL) at 28s, 3. Also: Lewis Bower 4:13.07, 46.

Women T1 Road Race: Marieke van Soest (NED) 1:03.52, 1; Pavlina Vejvodova (CZE) at 11:49, 2; Eltje Malzbender (NZL) 1 lap, 3.