Robin Horsfield, the Bermuda National Mountain Bike Champion, completed five of seven laps during the Under-23 World Cup in Les Gets, France, today.

Horsfield was pulled from the race because of the Union Cycliste Internationale’s 80 per cent rule.

A total of 24 countries sent their best riders to the event, which included the world champions in each of the four races: men’s, women’s, elite, men’s and women’s under-23.

“Robin learnt some significant lessons here in Europe over the past two weeks,” Mark Brown, Horsfield’s coach said.

“He and I have discussed some mistakes he made in Andorra last week and he built upon that experience here in Les Gets today.”

“With that said, I want to be clear that I am proud, and Bermuda should be equally proud, of Robin’s participation here in Europe. It is easy to say Robin finished down two laps, but it is equally true that Robin finished five laps here today at a World Cup event — there is no higher level of competition in the world and few can lay claim to have ridden even a single lap.

“Today’s performance is an improvement over Andorra last week and an improvement over Mont Saint Anne last year.”

Brown added: “These are the world’s best riders — Robin and 32 other riders were pulled from the race today due to the 80 per cent rule.

“To give some local context about the 80 per cent rule, I note that if the rule was applied to the most recent National Mountain Bike Championship in Bermuda only two riders, including the winner, would have been allowed to complete the scheduled seven laps.”