Mountainbiking: NZ team 10th in Italy

New Zealand's relay team finished 10th in their first event of the world mountainbiking championships in Livingo, Italy, today.

The team of Dunedin's Kashi Leuchs, Te Anau's Marcus Roy, Rotorua's Clinton Avery and Wellington's Rosara Joseph were in medal contention after three legs, in third position.

But Joseph, the New Zealand women's crosscountry champion, was unable to contend with the stronger, mainly male, fourth riders of other teams.

Spain won the race, with host nation Italy second and France third.

Avery is competing again tomorrow in the junior men's crosscountry.

Avery's coach John Lee expects him to finish in the top quarter of the large field.

Other New Zealanders competing tomorrow are Nelson's Luke Mills and Whakatane's Carl Jones in the junior men's crosscountry, and Auckland's Michelle Bellamy in the junior women's crosscountry.

- NZPA