Great Britain Cycling Team’s Grant Ferguson took a first-ever win at the UCI Mountain Bike Cross-country World Cup with the performance of his career in the under-23 men’s race in Italy.
The 21-year-old Scot crossed the line 26 seconds ahead of Frenchman Titouan Carod after a thrilling duel saw first place change hands on multiple occasions over the six laps in Val Di Sole.
The U23 Men Podium XCO Olympic Cross Country. 1st Grant Ferguson #BattleTrack #valdisoleworldcup #valdisole #trentino pic.twitter.com/Fquq2Egpqp
— Val di Sole BikeLand (@ValdiSoleBikeLn) August 23, 2015
But it was Ferguson - who won silver at the UEC European MTB Championships - who eventually opened up a gap and after coming so close in multiple occasions he was finally able to savour the top step of the podium.
Yassssss!! Finally managed to win a World Cup!! Thanks to everyone for the help and support!@phunkt @BrentjensMTB pic.twitter.com/U9FMT517mw
— Grant Ferguson (@GrantFerguson1) August 23, 2015
Annie Last was a non-finisher in the elite women's race with both her and Ferguson aiming to earn points to qualify places for Great Britain in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Last competed at London 2012 while Ferguson is hoping to make his Olympic debut in Brazil.