Anton Cooper has shown a liking for next year’s Paris Olympic cross-country course after finishing runner-up in the test event on Sunday.

The Trek Factory Racing rider was pipped in the sprint finish by French star Victor Koretzky with 10-time world champion and Rio Olympic winner, Nino Schurter finishing 3rd. Other favourites such Mathieu Van Der Poel and Sam Gaze finsihed well down the order in 27th and 28th.

The cross country circuit for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is located on the Elancourt hill, the highest hill in the Yuelines region, 44 km west of Paris. Each 4.4km loop has an elevation gain of 110m with a variety of technical challenges with a rock gardens and jumps.

Cycling New Zealand MTB high performance campaign manager, Sam Thompson, said the course had impressed riders more than at first glance.

“It is a power course with short punchy climbs which required riders to be on and off the power quickly to maintain momentum,” said Thompson. “I think it is a course that suits Anton.

“Organisers are expected to make some changes as a result of feedback from riders and coaches at this event but overall it was better than some thought it would be.”

Cooper said the course is mostly man-made but on the back of his performance today, it was one that suits his style.

He got away in a group of seven mid race before he and Koretzky edged ahead of Shurter on the final lap, with the Frenchman too strong in the sprint.