Emerging New Zealand mountain bike star, Sammie Maxwell, produced a brilliant performance to emerge from the pack to claim runner-up in the third round of the Whoop UCI MTB Cross-country World Series in the Czech Republic.
The Decathlon Ford rider was forced to work her way through the field after an indifferent short track race result earlier in the week saw her start from 25th on the grid. Maxwell worked her way forward gradually, catching the leaders midway through the eight-lap race at the famed course in Nové Mesto Na Moravé.
Maxwell diced with the leaders over the final few laps, before the kiwi and Austrian Mona Mitterwallner, the two-time marathon world champion, went clear on the final lap. The young kiwi recovered from an issue on the final climb, as the pair moved clear with Mitterwallner able to hold off Maxwell in a frantic final sprint.
The 22-year-old kiwi maintains her overall lead in the championship after three rounds, thrilled with her form and racing IQ in her first season in elite competition.
“It was an absolutely incredible race. I am super-proud about the way I am racing – super-mature. I am backing myself and I am confident,” said the New Zealand Olympian.
“People are making attacks at places where I don’t need to fight for position or time, and I am confident to let them go and know that I can catch them towards the end of the race when things get pointy. I have not burnt my matches and I have more to give.
“I am super-happy and excited and I am looking forward to Leogang. The form is still there and hopefully we can keep building from here.”
There was no such fortune in the men’s race with Sam Gaze, who had worked his way through the field but had his hopes dashed with a crash late in the race, in the first race of the season for the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider.
Compatriot Anton Cooper (Lapierre Racing), who started back on the sixth row in his return to racing after most of last year off, finished 53rd from 93 starters after threading his way through the packed field.
Fellow Christchurch rider Ethan Rose had his best finish in the under-23 race, with the Trek Future rider finishing in 12th place, 1:46 behind the winner with Mondraker NZ riders Coen Nicol (Taupo) mid-field in 53rd ahead of Whakatane’s Bailey Fredericksen.
Emerging young kiwi, Amelie Mackay (Christchurch) was 38th in the under-23 women’s race.
The UCI World Series moves back to Downhill and Enduro competition next weekend at Loudenvielle in the French Pyrenees. The next round for cross-country is at the renowned venue of Leogang in Austria in two weeks, which will also include downhill and enduro.
Results, Elite Female: Mona Mitterwallner (Mondraker Factory, NOR) 1:28.39, 1; Sammie Maxwell (Decathlon Ford, NZL) same time, 2; Candice Lill (SAF) at 25s, 3; Alessandra Keller (Thomus Maxon, SUI) at 41s, 4; Rebecca Henderson (Orbea Fox, AUS) at 48s, 5.
Standings: Maxwell 757, Nicole Koller (SUI) 572, Evie Richards (GBR) 517.
Elite Male: Christopher Blevins (Specialized, USA) 1:26.00, 1; Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing, FRA) at 7s, 2; Lars Forster (Thomus Maxon, SUI) same time, 3; Victor Koretzky (Specialized, FRA) same time, 4; Fabio Puntener (SUI) at 16s, 5. NZ riders: Anton Cooper (Lapierre Racing) at 2:43, 53; Sam Gaze (Alpecin Deceuninck) dnf.
Standings: Blevins 940, Koretzky 725, Martin Vidaurre Kossman (CHI) 566, 3.
Under-23 Male: Paul Schehl (GER) 1:19.32, 1; Rens Teunissen (NED) same time, 2; Finn Treudler (SUI) at 12s, 3. Also NZers: Ethan Rose (Trek Future, Christchurch) at 1:46, 12; Coen Nicol (Mondraker NZ, Taupo) at 6:42, 54; Bailey Fredericksen (Mondraker NZ, Whakatane) 4 laps, 93.
Under-23 Female: Ella Macphee (CAN) 1:20.19, 1; Fiona Schibler (SUI) at 17s, 2; Sara Cortinovis (ITA) at 42s, 3. NZers: Amelie Mackay (Christchurch) at 8.13, 38;