The tracks in the high alpine mountains in Switzerland provided a daunting test for New Zealand MTB Enduro riders in the latest World Cup stop.
National champion Charles Murray finished fourth in the elite men to remain in third place overall with one round remaining, to be 111 points behind second placed Slawomir Lukasik (POL).
Australian Jack Moir prevailed in the elite men, finishing the five times stages in 35:31 to be 14 seconds clear of Lukasik, with series leader Rich Rude Jnr (USA) third and Murray fourth.
Murray had three third placings and two fourths on the five stages, but a recent break in training to recover from injuries may have left him short of horsepower at high altitude.
“It was the first time on this course and it started at just over 3000m. I am pretty knackered, It was a big day on the tools,” said Murray.
“It was crazy, rocky, and physical at the top in the high altitude and the next four stages were quite nice. They have done a really good job here.
“It was a matter of trying to survive and manage the heart-rate throughout the day. The alpine stuff was completely open and quite cool for a change. Just coming off the injury from Leogang I probably didn’t have the altitude fitness that I wanted to have today.
“My riding was really good but I just needed a little more in the engine.”
Six weeks off and may race in the US, then one more round and the world championships both in September.
Of the other kiwis in elite men in the top-50, Craig Murray was 16th, Pivot Factory rider Ed Masters 29 and Brady Stone 43.
Great Britain’s Harriet Harnden won the elite women with top kiwi Rae Morrison a non-starter after a recent injury, but remains 11th overall.
It was a similar story for Christchurch teenager Winni Goldsbury, who was a non-starter because of injury, to0 be fifth overall after successive wins in her only two starts.
Rotorua’s Joe Millington (Yeti Fox) enjoyed a strong day in junior men, finishing seventh. After a careful start in the opening high altitude stage, Millington was fifth, fourth, eighth and seventh fastest in the remaining four stages. His best enduro finish has seen him rise to 19th overall after just three rounds, with Millington also mixing with World Cup downhill competition.
Other New Zealand riders in the top 50 include Matthew Fairbrother 20, Cooper Millwood 31, Asher Hart 36 and Oliver Jenkins 41.
There is a six week break in racing in Europe before the final round and the world championships in September.