Cycling news - Marc Hirschi masters descent to win U23 road race

ByBen Snowball

Updated 28/09/2018 at 16:28 GMT

Switzerland’s Marc Hirschi caught his rivals napping on the final descent as he charged away to win the U23 road race title at the UCI World Championships in Innsbruck.

Hirschi, 20, made his move inside the last 10 kilometres to distance fellow frontrunners Bjorg Lambrecht (Belgium) and Jaakko Hanninen (Finland).

Lambrecht, who featured at La Vuelta for Lotto Soudal, looked the strongest on the final climb – taking time to berate his two companions for not taking turns on the front – but had no answer to Hirschi’s late burst.

‘Brilliance at work’ – Marc Hirschi strikes gold

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The Belgian pipped Hanninen in a sprint to take the silver medal.

Britain’s Ethan Hayter, who won three medals at the recent European Track Championships, finished eighth.

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Results: Men's U23 road race

1 Marc Hirschi (Sui) 4:24:05

2 Bjorg Lambrecht (Bel) 0:00:15

3 Jaakko Hanninen (Fin)

4 Gino Mader (Sui) 0:00:35

5 Mark Padun (Ukr) 0:00:37

6 Jaime Castrillo Zapater (Spa) 0:00:45

7 Tadej Pogacar (Slo) 0:00:47

8 Etahn Hayter (GB)

9 Patrick Muller (Sui)

10 James Shaw (GB)

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