New Zealand mountain bikers Samara Maxwell and Sam Gaze were both encouraged with their fifth placings in today’s short track cross-country race at the UCI MTB World Championships in Switzerland.
Both riders were pleased with their form from today, looking ahead to the world championship race at the weekend.
Gaze, who won the short course world championship race in 2022 and 2023, was strong throughout over the nine-lap course in Zermatt, in the shadow of the Matterhorn.
He was prominent throughout and pushed hard at the finish, unable to push through to the leading pair who edged away on the final lap with Frenchman Victor Koretzky picking up his second short course world title in a photo finish with last year’s winner Christopher Blevins (USA).
“I did everything I could. I’m really happy to be fifth in the world in short track,” said Gaze. “It is a massive step forward to where I have been this season and I have got to be proud of that, but of course you get on the start line to win.
“I got blocked a bit on the second to last lap and missed out on the sprint with the leaders, so fifth was my end result. It is a good motivation for Sunday. I did everything I could and I could be proud of it. It is a good confidence booster. I am in top-top shape. I ‘ve had a good build-up towards these championships and I feel good.”
Teammate Anton Cooper also pushed strongly into the top-10 throughout the race, and after a solid shake-down ride for the weekend, he eased back on the final lap to finish 30s off the winner.
Earlier Maxwell, the current world series overall leader, had a race of mixed fortunes. The current World Series leader made a mistake at the start to find herself back in 18th place after the first lap with seemingly no hope. However the Decathlon Ford rider slowly gained sports to move into the top five, finishing 22 seconds behind winner Alessandra Keller (SUI).
“I had a really bad start, and on this course, it was super-fast and difficult to move up,” said Maxwell. “After the first lap I thought there’s no way I can get back to the front. After a few laps I was feeling really strong on the course today and I kept ticking off placings lap by lap.
“So to finish fifth after that start was pretty incredible. I don’t think anyone would think if you were 20th after the first lap you could finish in the top five. So I am happy with my form and super-excited for Sunday.”
The riders move to nearby Crans Montana for the cross-country races which will bring the curtain down on over two weeks of world championship action comprising eight mountain bike disciplines.
UCI MTB Short-Track Cross-Country results:
Elite women: Alessandra Keller (SUI) 20:43, 1; Jenny Rissveds (SWE) at 4s, 2; Jennifer Jackson (CAN) at 14s, 3. Also: Samara Maxwell (NZL) at 22s, 5.
Junior women: Isabella Holmgren (CAN) 19:52, 1; Carla Hahn (GER) at 20s, 2; Tyler Jacobs (RSA) at 26s, 3. Also: Amelie Mackay (NZL) at 3laps, 33.
Elite men: Victor Koretzky (FRA) 21:26, 1; Christopher Bevins (USA) at 1s, 2; Mathis Azzaro (FRA) at 3s, 3. Also: Sam Gaze (NZL) at 6s, 5; Anton Cooper at 33s, 30.
