MTB

Gaze third to retain lead in UCI Mountain Bike World Cup

By Cycling New Zealand

New Zealand mountain biker Sam Gaze has retained his lead in the elite under-23 division of the UCI World Cup.

The Cambridge rider, who competes for the Specialized professional team, finished third in the latest round of the cross-country in La Bresse in France today.

He fought back after a mishap on the second lap where he lost a minute on the leaders in the slippery conditions to claim a solid third placing.

Today’s third placing follows wins for the 20-year-old in the opening two rounds in Cairns, Australia and Albstadt, Germany. He leads the World Cup on 240 points from today’s winner Titouan Carod and fellow Frenchman Romain Seigle.

The race completed the UCI’s qualifying period for the Rio Olympics with the sport’s ruling body expected to release final ranking allocations shortly.

New Zealand is expected to earn one place in both elite men and women’s completion in Rio.
Gaze will be considered for the men’s spot along with world under-23 champion Anton Cooper, who was forced to withdraw from today’s elite World Cup race with illness.

National women’s champion Kate Fluker suffered a misfortune on the opening lap of the women’s race and was forced to withdraw.

Of the other New Zealand riders competing in the elite under-23 race in France today, North Canterbury’s Ben Oliver was 6m38s behind the winner in 20^th place, his brother Craig Oliver was 36^th and Wellington’s Jack Compton was 111^th from the 135 starters.