Sam Gaze competing at the mountain biking world championships in Glentress Forest, Peebles, Scotland. Photo: SWpix.com
Commonwealth Games champion Sam Gaze has became the first New Zealand male mountain biker to win a cross-country world championship medal after clinching silver in Scotland.
Gaze who won the short course rainbow jersey earlier in the championships, pushed up from over 30 seconds behind in 36th place, moving into medal contention on the penultimate lap.
He closed on the leaders, passing multiple world champion Nico Shurter on the final lap to finish runner-up to Olympic champion Tom Pidcock of Great Britain.
Trek Factory professional Anton Cooper, also swamped on the opening loop, pushed through the field to finish 10th with both riders forced to work their way through the tightly packed field on a testing course at Glentress Forest, near Peebles in the Scottish Borders.
With three laps remaining Gaze had moved to fourth, still 20 seconds from the leaders after setting the fastest lap of the race.
He moved on to the back of the leaders and passed a tiring Schurter on the final lap, going on to finish to second, 19 seconds behind winner Pidcock.
"I was quite unlucky in the start loop and got held up, but I just rode my pace, came back step-by-step, and rider-by-rider," Gaze said.
"I found myself riding for the podium with a lap and a half to go. A silver medal, second best in the world at the end of the day is really satisfying.
"I did not really think about how far I was back. I knew it was a long race on an attritional course so I just had to ride my speed. I have worked hard this year but it has not really connected for me in the World Cups so to come together at the worlds, I am super happy.
"I just wanted to ride my bike to the best of my ability today. It shows that I know how to be ready for the big days which is important coming into Olympic year next year. I have every intention of going one place better there."
BMX racing
Current under-23 World Cup BMX leader, Rico Bearman, won his heat and first round races in the rain to move safely into Monday's quarterfinals.
He will be joined by Rico D'Anvers, who was second in both his heat and the first round to also move through to the sudden-death elimination racing.
In under-23 women's racing, Rotorua's Megan Williams won her heat and went straight into tomorrow's racing, while Baylee Luttrell was injured in a crash in her heat and withdrew.
- RNZ