Australia has finished just off the podium in fourth place amongst the 16 teams taking part in the Internation Trophy class of the Trial des Nations, held in Andorra on Sunday. The Aussie mens team finished behind class winners Germany who overcame runners up Sweden on the final lap, and the United States.
The Aussie mens team of Colin Zarczynski, Kyle Middleton, Tim Coleman and Chris Bayles finished tied on points with Ireland, and moved ahead of the Irish on a countback of most cleans to secure a great 4th placing, a repeat of the teams 2013 result.
Teams contested two laps of 18 sections, with Sweden taking the early lead ahead of the Germans. Australia was in fifth place behind the USA and Belgium after the first circuit, and just three points ahead of Ireland. As the second and final lap progressed, Germany moved ahead of the Swedes while USA held on to third, while Australia retained their 4th place ranking by the tightest of margins over Ireland, with Belgium sixth and well ahead of New Zealand in a fine seventh.
Spain continued their domination of the world class with a massive margin of victory over Great Britain in second closely followed by France, ahead of Italy and fifth placed Norway, the final team to contest the world division.
Kevin Zarczynski