MADRID, Spain – Exeter native Adam Craig finished 31st overall at the third race of the International Cycling Union World Cup cross country mountain biking series Sunday.

Defending Olympic gold medalist and reigning world champion Julien Absalon of France won the race in 2 hours, 12 minutes, 30 seconds, beating Spaniard Jose Antonio Hermida by 12 seconds.

Todd Wells was the top American, placing 15th overall 2:32 behind Absalon, while Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski was 18th, 2:49 behind the winner.

Craig was the third-fastest American in the race, finishing 4:56 behindAbsalon.

Craig remains the top American in the 2008 World Cup point rankings, potentially a deciding factor in which two riders make the U.S. Olympic Team, though his lead over second-place Wells was reduced to 10 points, 230-220. Craig is 15th overall in World Cup points, while Wells is 16th.

Horgan-Kobelski is third among the Americans and 43rd overall with 84 points.

The World Cup circuit is idle before racing resumes May 31-June 1 at Vallnord, Andorra.