Britain’s Charlie Aldridge suffers late heartache at UCI Mountain Bike World Series as French claim 1-2 in Les Gets

BRITAIN’S Charlie Aldridge suffered late heartbreak in Les Gets as Adrien Boichis claimed victory at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup. A five-man bunch including Aldridge quickly broke away from the main pack in the brutal cross-country short track race – a 20-minute hell-for-leather effort that leaves even the fittest of riders dead on their feet at the end. Adrien Boichis celebrates victory in Les Gets Credit: WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series Charlie Aldridge’s hopes were dashed by a puncture on the final lap Credit: WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series All eyes had been on the returning Mathieu van der Poel, fresh from winning on the iconic Champs Elysees at the final stage of the Tour de France last month. The most successful rider in cross-country short track history – with 10 career victories to his name – worked his way from dead last in 41st to finish 10th overall ahead of Sunday’s longer race. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! He narrowly avoided disaster in the rocky section, somehow staying upright when a nasty fall looked a certainty, but the real action was ahead of him. Newly-crowned European champion Aldridge, 25, who won last year in the French Alps, looked in an immense position going into the final lap. The ninth and final lap of the 1.2km circuit began with eventual winner Boichis, Aldridge and fellow Cannondale star Luca Martin, David List, Simone Avondetto and Mathis Azzaro well clear of the chasing group. But disaster struck for the Brit as the bell rang, with a flat tire KO’ing his chances in agonising fashion. Instead it was his team-mate that made the first move, splitting the remaining group in two with a brutal attack. Only Boichis and German rider David List could stay with him. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK All the focus had been on the returning Mathieu van der Poel after he won the final stage of the Tour de France in emphatic style Credit: WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series But Boichis’ counter-attack on the final climb proved decisive. The Frenchman pulled clear into the final metres to extend his overall lead in the series, providing the perfect finale to Saturday’s racing for the thousands of fans who braved the rain to watch their hero seal victory. Martin finished just a second behind to complete a French 1-2, with List just behind them. Cycling enthusiasts had flocked to the Alps in their droves – with beers, vuvuzelas and even CHAINSAWS in tow – to cheer on their heroes and create a raucous atmosphere. In the women’s race, Sina Frei strengthened her grip on the overall standings with victory. The Swiss rider claimed her third XCC victory of the season ahead of Jenny Rissveds and Savilia Blunk. Watch every round of the UCI Mountain Bike World Series on TNT Sports & HBO Max Comment now