Campbell McConnell battles ice and mud at French CX World Championships

ARA Australian Cycling Team’s Campbell McConnell has survived the rough and tumble of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships to finish inside the top 60.

The 18-year-old from Victoria lined up in the junior men's race on a bitterly cold Sunday morning in the northern French town of Lièvin.

McConnell avoided a crash at the very start of the six-lap race before trying to make his way through the packed field.

The race was characterized by its demanding conditions, with riders navigating through frozen ruts and heavy mud.

“The conditions were very challenging making the course very unpredictable,” he said,

McConnell, who was competing in his final junior race, said he felt strong early on.

“Unfortunately, on the third lap my tubular tyre rolled off the rim and forced me to carry the bike about 1.5km to the pits.”

Campbell McConnell competing in the junior world championship race.

“From that I lost several minutes and was pulled out the following lap,” McConnell commented post-race.

 He finished 59^th overall in his second World Championship race.

Italy's Mattia Agostinacchio secured the gold medal.

Full results

Photo Credit: Campbell McConnell