Fast and flat out for Aussies in XC

Rebecca Henderson (ACT) has warmed up for the cross-country Olympic on Sunday with a ninth place in the short-track at the 2024 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships. 

It was a busy day for the ARA Australian Cycling Team with the junior men in XCO and elite and under 23s in the XCC in Pal Arinsal, Andorra. 

Harry Doye (VIC) and Eddie Mungoven (QLD) were first out on course in a big junior field for the four lap race. 

Disappointment for the national champion Doye who was unable to finish with Mungoven in 75^th place. 

Eddie Mungoven competing in the junior XCO in Andorra

Attention turned to the U23 XCC with Jack Ward (VIC) the only Aussie on the start line.

It was a tough slog on the dry and dusty course for the pack.

Jack Ward competing in the u23 XCC in Andorra.

Ward would finish 35^th in his race as American Riley Amos was victorious. 

In the elite women's race, Henderson along with national XCC champion Zoe Cuthbert (ACT) lined up in the crack field for the seven laps. 

Rebecca Henderson all smiles ahead of the elite women XCC race in Andorra.

Henderson pushed her way into the top 10 midway through the race but was unable to haul in the lead group. 

The Canberra athlete would be one of seven riders who finished nearly 30 seconds behind the winner, Cuthbert competing in her first elite XCC was 29^th. 

The race was won by Evie Richards (GB) who outsprinted defending champion Pauline Ferrand Prevot (FRA) to claim gold. 

In the elite men Sam Fox (TAS) would produce a strong ride to feature in the top 20 early in the race before finishing in 29th as   Frenchman Victor Koretzky took the rainbow jersey. 

Elite and under 23 riders will now look towards Sunday to compete in the XCO.

Full results can be found here.