New Zealand BMX rider Trent Jones suffered a fall that thwarted his attempt to reach the final of the UCI BMX World Cup in Manchester.
Jones, one of the top 16 ranked riders who were exempt to the second day, crashed out in the quarterfinal after topping his group in the three-race qualifying motos.
The North Canterbury rider was sixth in the first moto and then won the next two with ease to top his group.
Starting alongside former world champion Joris Daudet (FRA) in the quarterfinal, Jones missed the snap out of the gate and the gap quickly closed ahead of him over the first big jump. With nowhere to go Jones crashed to end his chances.
“It was more bad luck for Trent who was on good form again. He just about got through the gap and but he lost control in what was a pretty chaotic first turn in what is a small track being indoors,” said BMX head coach Ryan Hollows.
Teammate Mat Cameron missed out on qualifying from the first day motos.
Hometown rider Liam Phillips, who is based at the indoor facility in Manchester, took out the final from compatriot Lyle Evans.
Waikato-based Hannah Sarten raced strongly on the first day with two third placings and a second to qualify for the elimination rounds for the first time at elite level.
She was not able to emerge from the three-race motos on day two directly to the semifinals but impressed with her progress at the top level.
Australian Caroline Buchanan won the women’s final.
Some of the Kiwi riders will remain in Europe while Jones returns to USA and will return for the third round of the World Cup at Papendal, Netherlands on 7-8 May before heading to Colombia for the World Championships on 28-29 May which completes the Rio Olympic qualifying period.
