New Zealand's Anton Cooper has become just the second Kiwi to secure a cross-country World Cup podium with a brilliant third placing in Germany today.
The 23-year-old Trek Factory Racing rider produced a stunning performance to claim the bronze medal in the second round of the UCI World Cup in Albstadt behind Olympic and World champion Nino Schurter (SUI) and World cyclo-cross champion Mathew van der Poel (NED).
"Third place in Albstadt. I am so stoked to put the Kiwi jersey on an elite World Cup podium," said Cooper after the race.
After climbing from the fourth row to ninth in the opening round of the World Cup last week in the Czech Republic, Cooper impressed today to beat off the likes of Frenchman Julian Absalon, the double Olympic and five-time World champion.
The only New Zealander to previously earn a World Cup podium is understood to be Kashi Leuchs more than a decade ago.