Australia's BMX cycling star Caroline Buchanan has claimed silver at the world championships in Colombia.
A little over two months out from the Rio Olympics and a day after winning the time trial world title, Buchanan was beaten in the race final by reigning Olympic champion Mariana Pajon by 0.927 seconds on a track named in the Colombian's honour.
The Australian edged out American champion Alise Post for second on the line, after being forced to fight back from a messy start along with former world champion Stefany Hernandez.
"Alise, Mariana, Stefany and myself were all going bar to bar down the hill from the start gate," said Buchanan.
"I really learned a lot about my competitors strengths and weaknesses today.
"This track is a lot harder than Rio, we're at a higher altitude and the track is flat. It has been the biggest challenge before the Olympics."
Fellow Australian Melinda McLeod finished eighth while compatriot Lauren Reynolds crashed out in the semi-finals.
In the men's section, Australia's London Olympics silver medallist Sam Willoughby failed to reach the final along with countrymen Bodi Turner and Anthony Dean.
Willoughby wasn't the only big name to miss the final as two-time world and Olympic champion Maris Strombergs of Latvia and former world champion Liam Phillips of Great Britain also missed out.
Joris Daudet of France won a thrilling eventual final by 0.048 seconds over Niek Kimmann of the Netherlands.
Share
