London 2012 mountain bike rider Annie Last has made history by becoming the first British rider in 20 years to win a UCI Mountain Bike Cross-Country World Cup.
The 26-year-old, who finished eighth at London 2012, raced to victory in Lenzerheide, Switzerland to emulate the achievement of Caroline Alexander, who won in St Wendel, Germany, in 1997.
Last held off the challenge of Norway’s Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa to take the win, having made her way through the pack from her initial grid placing of 17th.
The Brit was in seventh after the first lap and at the conclusion of the third loop was within 20 seconds of the leading group of four.
As the riders in front of her faded, Last grew stronger and overtook her competitors to seal the impressive victory.
“I’ve had a tough couple of years, even to be racing at the front felt incredible. It’s not sunk in yet, unbelievable. I’m so happy,” she said.
Elsewhere in Switzerland 20-year-old Evie Richards, current British champion and former under-23 world cyclocross champion, finished third in the under-23 race with compatriot Isla Short coming home 13th. And in the men’s under-23 race there was a 29th place for Frazer Clacherty, as the 19-year-old fell to 19th in the overall standings. Sportsbeat 2017