NOVE MESTO NA MORAVE, Czech Republic -- Emily Batty claimed Canada's first medal of the 2016 mountain bike world championships on Saturday, finishing third in the Elite women's cross-country race.
Batty, from Brooklin, Ont., came in ahead of Catharine Pendrel of Kamloops, B.C., who finished fifth.
"I knew I had to leave it all out there, because this is a bronze medal," said Batty.
"I'm ecstatic, I can't even describe what this feels like."
Batty and Pendrel were part of the lead group of eight riders in the women's 23.3 kilometre race. The pair were sitting fifth and sixth, respectively, going into the final half-lap, when the riders sitting in second and third both flatted.
Denmark's Annika Langvad won gold and American Lea Davison was second. Batty had to outsprint Poland's Maja Wloszczowska for the bronze, taking the final podium spot by inches.
"Maja was able to bridge back up and I knew she was behind me, and getting a draft," said Batty. "But I was running a bigger gear selection than usual, so I was able to lead the sprint out and still win by a few inches.
Sandra Walter, from Coquitlam, B.C., came 29th, Cindy Montambault of Val-David, Que., was 36th, Rebecca Beaumont of Alma, Que., finished 40th and Haley Smith, from Uxbridge, Ont., was 42nd.
