UCI Mountainbike World Champs - Day 3 Wrap

Wellington’s Josh Barley has finished well back in the under-23 men’s race at the UCI World Championships in Italy today.

Barley finished 71st in the hotly fought race from the 102 starters and like many, fell victim to the big field and comparatively short lap on the cross country course at the alpine tourist resort of Val di Sole.

He was pushed back as riders banked up on the single track, managing three laps in the 40km event before being caught by the leaders with two laps remaining.

Switzerland’s Nino Schurter took out the title in 1:44.34.

Meanwhile four New Zealanders qualified for tomorrow’s elimination runs in the Four Cross with Cameron Cole (Christchurch) qualifying 25th, Matthew Walker (Kawerau) 31st, Wyn Masters (Wanganui) 37th and Craig Pattle (Rotorua) 47th.

Australia’s Olympic-bound BMX rider Jared Graves topped the qualifiers with the top 60 making it into the elimination run.

Cole and Walker are in the top half of the field and will meet eighth qualifier and defending world champion Brian Lopes and second qualifier Michael Deldycke (both USA) respectively in the 1/16 heats with the top two in each heat going through to the next round.

Results, UCI Mountainbike World Championships:

Under-23 Men Crosscountry, 39.4km: Nino Schurter (SUI) 1:44.34, 1; Burray Stander (RSA) 1:45.15, 2; Matthuis Fluckiger (SUI) 1:48.20, 3. Josh Barley (NZL) 2 laps down, 71.

Four-Cross qualifying: Jared Graves (AUS) 46.15, 1.
New Zealanders: Cameron Cole 48.86, 25; Matthew Walker 49.04, 31; Wyn Masters 49.26, 37; Craig Pattle 50.86, 47.