Kiwi Sam Gaze has claimed the short-track cross-country title at the UCI World Championships, taking first place in dramatic fashion in France.
Fresh from gold at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, Gaze added to his trophy collection with another victory, after a crash from American rival Christopher Blevins.
With the pair battling for the lead in the 10-lap race, defending champion Blevins crashed into a rock as he and Gaze approached the final corner.
And with no competition after Blevins' accident, Gaze rode home to take the victory. Switzerland's Filipo Colombo and Thomas Litscher finished second and third respectively.
"Super happy, super proud," said Gaze. "To become an elite world champion is a dream come true.
"It's an awesome feeling. I've had really good prep since the Commonwealth Games. I went to altitude in the French Alps and every training session went well.
"The course for short-track was deceivingly hard because it's been dry and the track was bone hard but the rain came today and some corners were icy and slick.
"I was back a bit further than I wanted to be early on and had to close some gaps in the middle part of the race but once I got two laps to go I thought if I could use my sprint, then I would have a good chance.
"You have to respect what a world title means, so to pull it off is awesome."
Gaze will back up for a shot at the cross-country world championship race, where he'll be joined by compatriots Anton Cooper, and Ben and Craig Oliver.
