Nebraska Cycling News

Four Americans Contest Junior Cross Country Race in Third Day of Competition in Italy

Trentino, Italy - Robbie Squire (Sandy, Utah) passed 48 riders in Thursday's Junior Men's Cross Country contest at the 2008 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, earning the United States a 23rd place finish. Three other American juniors contested the tough, five-lap affair, but finished out of the top 50.

The only world championship medal event of the day at the Mountain Bike World Championships, the 29-kilometer Junior Men's Cross Country contest became a testament of will with less than half of the 119-kilometer field completing all five laps of the course. With the leaders riding sub-19 minute lap times that bested those of many of the elite male competitors in Tuesday's Team Relay, much of the junior field was either pulled or forced to abandon before their fourth lap. 

The U.S. team's Squire however steadily picked-off rider after rider making his way from a 71st start position to finish strong in 23rd overall. The American rookie, who only began racing last season, seemed to grow stronger as the race progressed each time posting lap times equal to or better than the one before.

"I was just racing my own race," explained Squire. "I was just trying to keep a pace. I wasn't trying to attack or anything."

For Squire, who just last season won the Deer Valley National racing in his tennis shoes, the near top 20 world finish is a milestone.

"Considering all the outlying factors I'm pleased with the result and look forward to using the experience to build on," said the 18-year-old.   

John Bennett (El Cerrito, Calif.), who contested the junior leg of Tuesday's Team Relay, turned in the next best result for the Americans with an 83rd-place finish. Kerry Werner (Birdsboro, Pa.) and Seamus Powell (Round Top, N.Y.) placed 85th and 92nd respectively. None of the four American competitors had any previous international racing experience and were exposed for the first time to racing in a 100+ rider field at such intensity.

"I just didn't have a good race. I had no legs today," said Powell who suffered from a flat tire. "I definitely feel like if I had a little more experience with races like this I could put up some results."   

The 2008 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships continue on Friday again with only one medal event - the U23 men's Cross Country World Championship. Contesting the event for the United States will be Sam Jurekovic (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Colin Cares (Boulder, Colo.), Mitchell Peterson (Sandy, Utah) and Tim Allen (Flagstaff, Ariz.). Four cross qualification will also take place on Friday evening will all gravity finals slated for Saturday.

Many of the events at the 2008 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships can be viewed live online at www.freecaster.com.

2008 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships

Trentino, Italy

June 17-22

Junior Men's Cross Country

1. Peter Sagan (SVK) 1:35:21

2.  Arnaud Jouffroy (FRA) +1:33

3. Matthias Rupp (SUI) +2:50

23. Robbie Squire (Sandy, Utah) +12:24

83. John Bennett (El Cerrito, Calif.)

85. Kerry Werner (Birdsboro, Pa.)

92. Seamus Powell (Round Top, N.Y.)