Sammie Maxwell. Photo: UCI
New Zealand cross country mountain biker Sammie Maxwell has finished second at the latest World Cup round in the Czech Republic to maintain her overall series lead.
The Decathlon Ford rider was forced to work her way through the field after an indifferent short track race result earlier in the week saw her start from 25th on the grid.
Maxwell worked her way forward gradually, catching the leaders midway through the eight-lap race at the famed course in Nové Mesto Na Moravé.
Maxwell and Austrian Mona Mitterwallner, the two-time marathon world champion, went clear on the final lap.
The New Zealander recovered from an issue on the final climb but Mitterwallner was able to hold Maxwell off in a frantic final sprint.
Maxwell, 22, maintains her overall lead in the championship after three rounds.
Sammie Maxwell maintains her overall lead in the world championship. Photo: Noam Meresse
"It was an absolutely incredible race. I am super-proud about the way I am racing - super-mature. I am backing myself and I am confident," Maxwell said.
"People are making attacks at places where I don't need to fight for position or time, and I am confident to let them go and know that I can catch them towards the end of the race when things get pointy. I have not burnt my matches and I have more to give.
"I am super-happy and excited and I am looking forward to Leogang. The form is still there and hopefully we can keep building from here."
There was no such fortune in the men's race with Sam Gaze, who had worked his way through the field but had his hopes dashed with a crash late in the race, in the first race of the season for the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider.
Compatriot Anton Cooper (Lapierre Racing), who started back on the sixth row in his return to racing after most of last year off, finished 53rd from 93 starters after threading his way through the packed field.
UCI World Series moves back to Downhill and Enduro competition next weekend at Loudenvielle in the French Pyrenees.
The next round for cross-country is at the renowned venue of Leogang in Austria in two weeks, which will also include downhill and enduro.
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