Kiwi combo finishes eighth in cross-country team relay

SPEED: Sam Gaze had the fastest first leg time in the team relay at the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Cairns. PHOTO/CAMERON MCKENZIE

The New Zealand cross-country team has finished eighth in the team relay that marked the start of the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Cairns yesterday.The team relay has in the past been a more light-hearted affair, but with plans to increase its status and with a new five-strong team format, it provided a high profile start to the championships.

The New Zealand team were anchored with stunning efforts from current under-23 world champion, Tokoroa-born Sam Gaze, who had the fastest first leg time, while current world ranked No7 elite Anton Cooper was the joint fastest overall.

The Trek Factory professional clocked 11 minutes and 59 seconds for the final lap, the same time as world champion Nino Schurter - the only two riders under the 12 minute barrier.

The New Zealand team drifted back to 12th mid-race but worked up to eighth overall, two minutes and 23 seconds behind winners Switzerland. The team, with Gaze, juniors Eden Cruise and Jessica Manchester, women's elite Samara Sheppard and Cooper, beat hosts Australia by more than two minutes.

The championship-proper begins today with Cruise and Manchester to compete in the junior elite cross-country races.

Cruise, from Wellington, will have to force his way through the field from 33rd on the grid for the three-lap race, and had a good blow-out in the relay yesterday.

"That was probably the hardest race of I've ever ridden in my life. I've been here for two weeks acclimatising but it was so hot out there.

"I'm proud of our New Zealand team and look forward to a good world champs ride tomorrow," said Cruise.

Manchester, who performed well on the international circuit this year, is ranked fourth and will start on the front row.

"My goal for today was to pace myself and hit all the lines. I had a tough race with elite woman in my group and now I can't wait to get out there and race my hardest," said Manchester.