Great Britain's Grant Ferguson posted a top ten result in the under-23 men's race despite a puncture at round three of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup cross-country.
Finishing ninth, the British champion had started in the lead group of five riders, but following the first lap exchanges, settled into that position 15 seconds back from the head of the race.
Riding in sixth position, Ferguson then had a puncture on the final lap. Beyond the technical assistance zone, he was forced to ride to the finish on a flat tyre and dropped three places.
Earlier in the week, Ferguson expressed his desire to replicate the podium position he had achieved at the opening round of the series in South Africa, but it was Dutchman Michiel van der Heijden, Jordan Sarrou (France) and Samuel Gaze (New Zealand) who made the race for the top three positions in Nove Mesto.
Kenta Gallagher got his first world cup finish of 2014 following a disasterous start to the season - crashing and injuring himself on the start line of round one.
Having taken an enforced spring break and with no training since his accident, Gallagher completed the eight-minute start loop in 33rd, moving quickly through the field, joining a group racing for 15th by the midway point of the race, eventually recording 18th.
Iain Paton finished just one minute back in 23rd, with a very progressive ride having started 75th on the grid, while Mike Thompson finished 69th, after a gridding of 128 from 140 starters.
Under-23 women and junior men
On day one of competition Great Britain's mountain bike squad showed promise in then under-23 women's and junior men's races.
Having won the second round of the British MTB Cross-Country Series, Beth Crumpton had already predicted her improving form - a vision that came good as she made an impressive start in Nove Mesto.
On completing the eight-minute start loop, the British under-23 champion had progressed from the third row of the grid to the front group of three.
However, a puncture on the first descent resulted in a heavy and race-ending crash.
Behind Crumpton, Alice Barnes was making her first appearance in the under-23 category, having moved up from the junior ranks.
Gridded a lowly 56th, Barnes made quick progress and positions throughout the race, securing an 18th place finish and more importantly world cup points which will boost her grid position in next week's race.
Earlier in the day, Dylan Kerfoot Robson rode a clean four laps in the junior men's event and finished 34th from 118 starters.
The world cup series continues next weekend in Albstadt, Germany.
