New Zealand bags gold at the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2014 in Glasgow.
New Zealand based cross country cyclist Anton Cooper claimed the first mountain biking gold medal for his country in a nail-biting finish to the cross country race. 19-year-old Cooper managed to leave behind team mate Samuel Gaze, 18, while Australian Daniel McConnel finished third.
In the earlier women’s contest, Catherine Pendrel and Emily Batty – from Canada – took away the gold and silver respectively. During the men’s race, just ten seconds separated the first three riders and dropped Max Plaxton of Canada on the seventh and final lap. The New Zealand-based cyclist completed the 37 kms race over the Cathkin Braes Trail in one hour and 38 minutes 26 seconds.
Pendrel earlier dominated the women’s race and took with her gold by maintaining the time of one hour 39 minutes 29 seconds. The 33-year-old world champion actually led from the beginning to the end of the six lap race to win by more than a minute and continue Canada’s success in the event.
Canada has won gold on each of the three occasions and the event has been included by the Commonwealth Games Programmes. Rebecca Henderson from Australia took away bronze with England’s Annie with team mate Alice Barnes in the fourth place.
Photo Credits: Game Plan Media
