September 05, 2018 (Lenzerheide, Switzerland) – Team Canada delivered a solid start rallying to an 8th-place finish as 21km Team Relay kicked off the 2018 Mountain Bike World Championships in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. The new 5-rider format with U23 women is in its second year.

The Canadian squad of Sean Fincham (UM), Carter Woods (Jr), Laurie Arseneault (UW), Haley Smith (EW) and Peter Disera (EM) was as high as 4th courtesy of a strong leg by Woods on the second lap. Italy’s Gerhard Kerschbaumer gave his team an early lead but France took over and then Australia opened a gap on the third lap.

Germany and Switzerland were behind battling to reel in Australia and on the final lap Nino Schurter (SUI) was able to take the lead. Canada lost some ground and hit the final lap with anchor, Peter Disera, in 10th. He went to work and was able to bring home the red maple leaf to a solid 8th-place finish.

“I was a lot happier this year being the anchor,” said Disera in a team release, “instead of riding first like last year. Honestly, I believe with the team we had, that we could have gone top-5, but everybody rode great. I’m guessing Carter’s lap time was close to mine, because he was flying. I tried to do what I could at the end, but the gaps were just a little too big. I reeled in a few riders, and it was good prep for the cross-country on Saturday.”

“Proud of our Relay at Worlds tonight. 8th in the new 5-rider format. Two positions better than last year and some excellent lap times! Sean Fincham, Carter Woods, @LaurieArseneau1 @hale_smith @Petey__D #theworkoutyouneeded @CyclingCanada,” tweeted Dan Proulx, Head MTB Coach at Cycling Canada.

Results here.