Underprepared Cooper best of Kiwis in 33rd
NATIONAL champion Anton Cooper led home the New Zealand crosscountry riders on a brutal day of racing at the world championships at altitude in Les Gets, France, yesterday.
Cooper, who was compromised in his preparation by a bout of Covid that ruled him out of the Commonwealth Games, braved it out to finish 33rd.
While he produced consistent lap times at the demanding Les Gets course, he did not have his usual spark after getting back on his bike only three weeks ago.
He led home the Kiwi riders, Ben Oliver finishing 52nd and brother Craig Oliver 55th.
Ben Oliver, fresh from his silver medal at the Commonwealth Games, was not at ease on a challenging course that did not suit his strengths.
Newly crowned world shortcourse champion Sam Gaze crashed out on the second lap after he made a superb start from the fifth row to push into the top 10.
He got offline on a jump and landed awkwardly with medics assessing a potential shoulder injury.
Swiss superstar Nino Schurter won his 10th world title with a brilliant performance on a course where he won the junior world championship in 2004 and yesterday became the oldest winner at 36.
Another veteran, French rider Pauline Ferrand Prevot, added a fourth individual crosscountry elite title in the women’s race, her second rainbow jersey of the week after winning the shortcourse crown.
It also adds to her road race world championship victory in 2014 and world cyclocross victory in 2015.
Ruby Ryan, of Rotorua, led the New Zealand under23 riders in 32nd place in the women’s race.
There is no break for the riders, who head to Italy’s Val di Sol this week for the final round of the world cup season.