Craig 15th in cycling opener

HOUFFALIZE, Belgium – Exeter native Adam Craig raced to a 15th-place finish at the opening event of the International Cycling Union’s World Cup elite men’s mountain biking schedule Sunday.

Craig, 26, was the second-ranking American in the race as he began his quest for one of two men’s berths on the U.S. Olympic Mountain Biking Team that will compete in the Summer Olympics at Beijing, China, in August.

Todd Wells, a 2004 U.S. Olympian, placed 11th overall among the 232 finishers to earn 90 World Cup points, while Craig earned 76 points. Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski, the second 2004 U.S. Olympian, was third among Americans in the race and 60th overall to earn eight World Cup points. Another American, Barry Wicks, was 61st overall.

Julien Absalon of France, the 2004 Olympic gold medalist, won the Houffalize race in 2 hours, 6 minutes, 56 seconds, 51 seconds ahead of runner-up Nino Schurter of Switzerland. Another Swiss rider, Christoph Sauser, placed third, 1:14 behind Absalon.

Wells finished 5:16 behind Absalon, while Craig was 5:55 back.

The World Cup circuit is back in action again next weekend at Offenburg, Germany.