It was a sure start for the British mountain-bikers on day one of the 2024 UEC European MTB Championships as Joe Blackmore took the under-23 men’s XCC title, while Ella Maclean-Howell won a silver medal in the women’s standings.

Elite and under-23 women XCC

In the mixed elite and under-23 women’s race, Ella Maclean-Howell rode consistently to stay confidently around the top 10 riders overall from the gun, second to Germany’s Kira Bohm in the under-23 race.

Maintaining her position, just 14 seconds behind Bohm to the line, Maclean-Howell took a fantastic silver medal to start her championships.

Having qualified fifth, Annie Last was forced to retire with a mechanical after the second lap.

Junior women XCC

A tightly fought women’s race saw the top three riders split from the back early on, with the British women comfortably riding in the top half of the race throughout. Daisy Taylor started as the leading Brit, completing the first two laps in 14th place. By halfway, Bethany-Ann Jackson had moved up into 11th place, with Taylor and Evie Strachen close behind in 13th and 14th respectively. Maddie Moorhouse-Smith joined the British contingent on the fourth lap, with the four riders taking 11tht –o 14th place, with just seconds in between. 

Overall, Bethany-Ann Jackson took the highest British finish in 11th, followed by Evie Strachan in 12th, Maddie Moorhouse-Smith 13th and Daisy Taylor came home in 22nd place.

Junior men XCC

Max Standen put in a strong ride in the men’s short track after a steady start saw him in 30th position after two laps. By lap three, the 16-year-old had made his way up to an impressive 17th, just 38 seconds outside of the leader. He continued to move through the pack each lap, finishing the six-lap race in 11th place.

Elite and under-23 men XCC

Charlie Aldridge finished in a fantastic fourth place in the elite men’s short track cross-country race, while Joe Blackmore’s eighth place was enough to score him the under-23 gold medal.

National champion Aldridge had a strong start to stay in contention with the podium takers, but just burnt off the gas near the end to finish just outside the podium places.

Blackmore had a closely fought battle with his opponents to the finish line, but managed to claim the gold with a seven second gap in a powerful sprint finish.

Max Greensill and Corran Carrick-Anderson finished 12th and 13th, respectively, in the under-23 category, while Cameron Orr came home 16th in the elite category. 

The second day of competition will see the British team of Ella McLean-Howell, Bethany-Ann Jackson, Max Standen, Corran Carrick Anderson, Isla Short and Charlie Aldridge from 1pm UK time.