Mountain biking: Sam Gaze defends world title

Kiwi mountain biker Sam Gaze. Photo / Getty

New Zealand mountain biker Sam Gaze is a world champion once again.

The 21-year-old has defended his Under 23 cross-country world championship, winning the title by 11 seconds today in Cairns.

The 2014 Commonwealth Games silver medalist was locked in throughout on the six lap course, never deviating from the leading group as he slowly dropped his rivals one by one.

As the leaders slowly whittled away, Gaze made his move, jumping clear of the pack on lap four. An attack off the front opened up a 16 second lead, as he pulled away from a group of six riders.

He was joined at the front of the race by South African Alan Hatherly, but once again earned a slender lead on the penultimate lap.

Hatherly couldn't hang with the pace set by Gaze, who pumped his fists as he crossed the line after an hour and 17 minutes out on course.

It's @samgazemtb ! Back to back World Champion and total domination today! #MTBWorlds pic.twitter.com/QRr5g9cHFa

— UCI MTB (@UCI_MTB) September 8, 2017

Gaze's victory was supplemented by a strong performance by fellow Kiwi rider Ben Oliver, who hung with the leaders throughout the first half of the race, before eventually finishing 2.12 back in ninth place. His brother, Craig Oliver, finished in 37th, while the other New Zealander in the race, Jack Compton, did not finish.

Party 🎉 time!! #MTBWorlds 🌈 pic.twitter.com/TCtwJEPZpO

— UCI MTB (@UCI_MTB) September 8, 2017

The man who beat Gaze at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Anton Cooper, is the only New Zealander in action in tomorrow's men's elite cross-country race, while Samara Sheppard is the sole Kiwi representative in the women's field.

The world championships end on Sunday with the elite and junior downhill event, with 17 Kiwi riders set to take part.