New Zealand finished eighth in the team relay which kick-started the UCI mountain bike world championships in South Africa today.
It's the first time New Zealand have competed in the cross-country team relay since the championships were hosted in Rotorua in 2006.
The relay comprised a lap each for a male and female elite, male under-23 and male junior. With no male elite, the New Zealand team included two under-23 riders - last year's junior world champion Anton Cooper and Dirk Peters along with Olympian Karen Hanlen and junior Sam Gaze.
The sport's powerhouses Italy and France finished in the same time with Italy holding on in the photo-finish to claim the title.
Canada changed their order significantly to claim the lead on the third lap, but they were rounded up in the final lap.