2025 UCI MTB WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY 9
New Zealand junior cross-country mountain bikers produced some strong performances in blistering fast races at the UCI MTB World Championships in Crans Montana, Switzerland today.
Christchurch teenager Millie Junge led the New Zealand riders in 23rd place in the junior women’s race, moving thought he packed field to emerge as the leading Oceania rider.
“I was super-happy. It was one of my best races and the vibes were awesome,” said the Cashmere High School rider.
“I am really stoked. I went a little bit too hard at the start and got a bit too excited. I tried to push myself as hard as I could without cooking myself in the middle states and I had a good last lap.”
Hamilton’s Fletcher Adams had an impressive performance to finish 19th.
“I paced it quite well. I was 40th in the first lap and started picking people off each lap,” said the Oceania Champion.
“I was up to 17th with four people right in front of me but unfortunately I got a flat tyre in the rock garden. I got it changed by the mechanic which was legend and I managed to catch two riders on that last lap.
“It’s a big improvement on last year so I was happy with that. I am stoked.”
Tomorrow is the under-23 women and men ahead of the elite women and men overnight Sunday (NZT) to complete the two weeks of the world championships which has comprised world titles for Pump, Enduro including e-mtb, Marathon, Downhill, Cross-country (short track, e-mtb, XCO).
Results:
Junior women: Marusa Serkei (SLO) 1:01.27, 1; Anja Grossmann (SUI) at 13s, 2; Barbora Bukovska (CZE) at 2:50, 3. Also NZ riders: Millie Junge at 8:12, 23; Kayley McMillan at 9:52, 31; Dulie Copeland 2 laps, 49; Millie Donald 3 laps, 52.
Junior men: Lucas Teste (FRA) 1:14.49, 1; Roger Suren (NAM) at 11s, 2; Lewin Iten (SUI) at 31s, 3. Also NZ riders: Fletcher Adams at 4:11, 19; James Climo at 5:18, 28; Oscar Talbot 2 laps, 72.
