Anton Cooper scored a tight second place finish at World Cup Nove Mesto
It was an action packed day for the Trek Factory Racing cross country team, with two podiums in Sunday’s elite races. Things started off well with Emily Batty notching a solid forth place finish. Anton Cooper then took to the line for the men’s race, and scored the best World Cup result of his career with a second place to current World Champion Nino Schurter.
The world of cross country is seeing a new generation of talent rise to the top, and Anton is certainly one these select few. Anton’s second place continues to confirm an ever growing ceiling for the youngster from New Zealand. Never missing a moment to prepare properly, and always fighting to the end, Anton is finding himself at the front of the race on a consistent basis.
For Anton, its always about keeping consistent and fighting all race long.
"It was just an incredible day on the bike, no other way to describe it! I felt solid on the start loop but nothing spectacular and kind of had the impression early on that I was going to be fighting for around a top 10 final position. However as each minute passed I could tell that I had a strong chance at a podium. I picked off riders one by one and felt I could push on relentlessly without ever really suffering. Halfway through the race and with the leaders back in sight I knew a podium position was almost a certainty and my focus turned instead to winning the race. Days like that don't come around often so I was determined to make the most of my opportunity! Maxime Marrotte had come across with me to the leading Swiss pair of Nino Schurter and Lars Forster and was obviously feeling strong. Once we joined the front two Nino attacked and Lars dropped back making it a battle between three of us over the last 2 laps for the win. I knew Nino would be the man to beat and if I could hang with him until the finish straight I would have a chance of out sprinting him."
"I closed up on him but in the end Nino pipped me to the line by about a tyre width. Desperately close to my first ever World Cup win but I'm still so happy with how I raced. I can take solace in the fact I'm young, still improving and confident more opportunities will come for me to win an Elite World Cup soon!"
Emily Batty is back on form, and was fighting for the top spots. Emily kept the pressure on, and finished in fourth.
