Covered in glorious sunshine once again, the 2011 UCI Cross Country Mountain Bike World Cup started in earnest at Dalby Forest and Great Britain’s David Fletcher set a fastest last lap time to finish an impressive sixth in the Men’s U23 race.

Showing true grit and determination after a tough start, the 22 year old from Nottingham managed to bridge a gap of almost half a minute. Steve James also rode brilliantly, finishing in 30th place after starting 60th on the grid.

The day’s action got underway with the junior men and women races and Grant Ferguson played his part in an entertaining Men’s junior race, riding his way to an impressive fifth position. Bethany Crumpton and Katie Winton weren’t far off in the battle for a podium place and both looked in good form, coming in 4th and 6threspectively.

The day ended as over 200 riders took their place on the start line in Dalby Dare, getting their chance to ride the course in World Cup conditions and tackle the award winning course with the jaw dropping challenges of Dixon’s Hollow, Worry Gill and Medusa’s Drop.

One name to watch for the future is Andr Frischknecht, who finished second in the junior men’s race. Guess who his father is…

Under-23 Men results

1 GEHBAUER Alexander (AUT) 01:29:25
2 KERSCHBAUMER Gerhard (ITA) TX ACTIVE BIANCHI +00:05
3 SCHULTE-LUENZUM Markus (GER) FOCUS MIG TEAM +00:22
4 BAUER Markus (GER) +00:38
5 HUGUENIN Jérémy ( SUI) GIANT SWISS SR – SUNTOUR +00:39
6 FLETCHER David (GBR) +00:57
7 VAN DER HEIJDEN Michiel (NED) RABOBANK – GIANT OFF-ROAD TEAM +00:58
8 CARABIN Sebastien (BEL) VERSLUYS – EVENZA TEAM +01:15
9 ROSA Diego (ITA) GIANT ITALIA TEAM +01:23
10 ETTINGER Stephen (USA) +01:41

Junior Men results

1 SCHUERMANS Jens (BEL) TEAM MERIDA COMBEE 01:10:03
2 FRISCHKNECHT Andri (SUI)SCOTT – SWISSPOWER MTB – RACING +00:29
3 URRUTY Maxime (FRA ) SCOTT LES SAISIES +00:48
4 GENESTE Thibault (FRA) SCOTT LES SAISIES +01:00
5 FERGUSON Grant (GBR) +01:38
6 KORETZKY Victor (FRA) +01:46
7 GELUYKENS Pieter (BEL) TREK – KMC TRADE TEAM VZW +01:50
8 ZUURBIER Thijs (NED) TEAM MERIDA COMBEE +02:10
9 BATS Didier (BEL) +02:18
10 KRISTIANSEN Sondre (NOR) +02:22

Junior Women

1 FORCHINI Ramona ( SUI19940614 ) MK – ZENTRALSCHWEIZ 01:04:41
2 MOSCHETTI Margot ( FRA19940119 ) +00:14
3 CLAUZEL Perrine ( FRA19940405 ) +01:21
4 CRUMPTON Bethany ( GBR19940610 ) +02:54
5 WINTON Katy ( GBR19931031 ) +03:40