New Zealand’s Sam Gaze produced a remarkable performance to win the short-track honours as the UCI MTB World Series resumed in USA on Saturday.
The Alpecin-Premier Tech rider began the short-track event in Soldier Hollow in Utah, USA from 26th spot in the back half of the grid, moving up to 10th with four laps remaining. Gaze was still in 10th on the back of the lead pack going into the final lap before producing a withering sprint to edge his way to an improbable victory.
It was the fifth World Cup short-track win for Gaze, but his first since 2024.
Earlier compatriot Sammie Maxwell (Decathlon Ford Racing) finished eighth in the elite women’s short track, 18seconds down on winner Martina Berta from Italy.
It was another improving effort from Maxwell, who only recently returned to racing, with the Decathlon Ford rider powering through from 21st spot on the third row of the grid for the sprint event.
The event has been challenged with heavy rain and hail closing the track yesterday.
Action moves to the penultimate round of cross-country world series tomorrow in Utah, before Downhill competition returns at Whistler in Canada next week. Cross-country and downhill rejoin for the final round of the UCI World Series season at Lake Placid, New York on October 2-4.
Gaze wins in USA (Credit: Staronphoto)