Robin Horsfield bounced back in style in the second race of the MTB XC Ontario Cup Series on Sunday, narrowly missing out on a first-place finish.

Having endured a difficult start to the provincial-level season, finishing eighth in the opening race on July 25, Horsfield responded brilliantly on Sunday, competing in Midland, in Central Ontario.

Once again competing in the main race of the day, which requires a qualification standard to be met to enter, he clinched an impressive second-place finish, missing out on top spot by just 34 seconds. Luke Hlavenka, claimed victory, completing the time-trial start race, in a winning time of 55min 39sec.

A day previously, Horsfield also competed in the unofficial mass-start event in which he got off to a flying start, breaking away with Hlavenka.

The pair managed to gain a two-minute advantage over the rest of the field, before the Bermudian rider began to fade away and fall out of contention, ultimately resulting in a fifth-placed finish.

Undeterred, Horsfield returned on Sunday and learnt from his mistakes the previous day to demonstrate his credentials as one of the standout riders in the province.

He will be aiming to build on that momentum in the remaining two Ontario Cup races — the next scheduled for September 3 — as well a final Canada Cup race left on his season schedule.