→←News→Jack Ward and Harry Doye race to XCO podium in Switzerland
Jack Ward and Harry Doye race to XCO podium in Switzerland
May 8, 2023
The Australian kit was prominent on the podium of the junior men’s race at the OKK Bike Revolution event in Chur, Switzerland.
Five Aussies lined up in the 37 strong field, which was the first race for the athletes part of the AusCycling MTB European junior camp.
Reigning national champion Jack Ward and Harry Doye were setting the pace in the lead group for the seven lap hit out.
The duo would continue to press at the pointy with Ward putting his foot down on the final lap to break away and cross the finish line 21 seconds in front of fellow Australian Doye.
Eddie Willis was the only Australian rider not to finish with Cohen Jessen recording a top 10 finish and Levi Dougherty (27).
It was a smaller field for the junior women with Ruby Dobson the only Australian on the start line.
The national champion would finish in 12th place in a race dominated by the Swiss riders.
A tough ask for Under 23 rider Joel Dodds racing in the elite men over nine laps which featured some heavy hitters including Tokyo gold medallist Thomas Pidcock and ten time World Champion Nino Schurter.
The Ipswich-based rider would fall prey to the 80% rule with five laps to go and finish in 44th.
The group now head to Nove Mesto for the opening round of the UCI World Cup season.