Grant Ferguson secured an impressive 15th place at the UCI MTB World Cup in Albstadt – a career best performance at elite world cup level.
The young Scot made his senior debut at the recent world cup in Cairns, Australia, securing 17th, but improved on that result by two places on the technical course in South Germany.
Ferguson looked motivated on the course, joining the leading pack from the race start, clocking in as high as 5th following the start loop.
Although he dropped through the field as the race unfolded, the Brentjens Mountainbike Racing Team rider was consistent throughout the day to finish 15th – four minutes and two seconds behind eventual race winner Nino Schurter of Switzerland, who made it two world cup wins in a row.
Fellow Brits Phil Pearce and Chris Braddick finished the race three laps behind the main field.
In the women’s elite race, Maxine Filby was the only British finisher, taking 70th place, also three laps down on the main field.
Annie Last (Novus OMX Pro Team) and Kerry McPhee failed to complete the course. The race was won by Denmark’s Annika Langvad.
Great Britain Cycling Team were represented in the men’s under-23 race that kick-started Sunday’s day of racing in Germany.
Iain Paton was the top ranked British rider, finishing in 63rd, one lap behind the main field. Teammate Frazer Clacherty was a further lap behind in 98th as New Zealand’s Samuel Gaze took the win.
The next cross-country round of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup takes place next weekend, 28-29 May at La Bresse, France.
