Sam Gaze may have delivered New Zealand’s best performance with a sixth place in the men’s cross-country mountain bike race at the Olympic Games, but his disappointment at the end of the race on Monday was obvious.

The New Zealand rider had hoped for more, with his recent results providing ample fuel for dreams of a medal challenge. However, it was a different story on Élancourt Hill for the reigning short track world champion and silver medallist in the 2023 cross-country rainbow jersey race.