Aussies tough it out on the final day of MTB World Championships

The curtain came down on the 2024 UCI MTB World Championships in Pal Arinsal, Andorra on Sunday with the cross-country Olympic races.

Due to potential afternoon thunder storms all races were pushed forward and shortened with the elite and u23 women combined for a mass field of 110 riders on course.

Two of the ARA Australian Cycling Team members, Rebecca Henderson (ACT) and Zoe Cuthbert (ACT) would be in the mix for the elite women.

Henderson was looking solid early on as she sat with a chasing pack determined to reel in the leader from the Netherlands Puck Pieterse.

Rebecca Henderson finished 10th elite women XCO

 But an avoidable crash into the barriers on the third lap shook up the national champion and took the wind out of her sails with two to go.

The Canberra rider battled on to cross in 10th,  three minutes behind Pieterse who soloed to the her maiden elite title.

Team-mate Cuthbert would finish in 44th after a hard day on the pedals.

Canberra's Zoe Cuthbert competing in elite women XCO.

It was as equally as tough out on course for Sam Fox (TAS) in the elite mens race.

Despite a good start the Tasmanian couldn't keep the pace with the pack up near the front of what was a hectic race.

Fox (56) world championship campaign would finish just outside the top 50, as South African Alan Hatherly claimed the gold medal.

Jack Ward at the start of the U23 XCO race in Andorra

Jack Ward (VIC) also had a hard day in the saddle during the U23 race as he fought to make his way through a big pack of riders to eventually finish in 61st place .

Full results can be found here.