Intro:

Halzer and Alexandra Engwen came out on top in Friday's (May 23) eliminators for the Cross-Country competition at round three of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in the Czech Republic.

Script:

This is a tough enough sport as it it - Paula Gorycka's elbow highlights that statement.

So torrential rain is really not welcome when it comes to battling for glory in the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup.

But that is what the competitors on Friday's cross-country eliminator had to cope with.

Alexandra Engin won the women's eliminator 2.

The Swede picked up the maximum 60 points with Kathrin Stirnemann of Switzerland second and Ingrid Boe Jacobsen of Norway third.

Miha Halzer was the one to catch in the men's race.

The pace was too much for Fabrice Mels, making it a three-way battle.

Halzer from Slovenia finished ahead of Austria's Daniel Federspiel with Paul van der Ploeg third.

There are two more days of racing to come from the venue, hopefully without further downpours.