Liam O'Brien and Travis Harkness have flown the flag for Ireland in the men's junior race at the World Cyclocross Championships, with both teenagers digging in hard.
With a field of just over 30 riders the pace was on from the gun as the Belgian, Swiss and British riders set out their stall early and pressed hard .
O'Brien and Harkness, who were 1st and 2nd in the recent National Cyclocross Championships, were gridded towards the back. That position, added to the fierce pace from the gun, meant it was very hard to move up.
O'Brien's cause was not helped by a mechanical about two laps into the race, with the Irish champion forced to stop and get his bike sorted but quickly getting going again.
That interruption robbed him of his chance to add a top 20 placing at the Worlds to the 19th place he secured at the Europeans late last year. However, O'Brien and Harkness battled through the contest and finished 28th and 31st respectively after six laps of racing in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
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"I'm delighted to have had the opportunity to represent Ireland at the Worlds," said O'Brien. "It was tough out there today with the heat, I gave it my best but the crowds and support we received today was amazing."
Harkness said it was a "tough, fast race" with a "brilliant atmosphere and crowds showing their support around the entire course."
The race was dominated by a three-man move that got clear after the halfway point to survive out front and fight it out for the medals. That trio were: Jan Christen of Switzerland, Nathan Smith of Great Britain and Aaron Dockx of Belgium.
While all three looked very strong it appeared Christen had the edge; the 17-year-old the reigning Swiss junior TT and cyclocross champion who has been training with UAE Team Emirates recently.
It came down to a sprint for the finish line between the trio and while Dockx went early and pulled out a gap, Christen scrambled onto his wheel before powering past his Belgian rival to take gold. Dockx was 2nd and Smith placed 3rd.
