SPA, Belgium – Adam Craig of Corinth was the top American finisher Sunday in the opening race of the 2005 International Cycling Union mountain bike cross country circuit.

Craig placed 43rd overall among 170 riders who started the race, 10 minutes, six seconds behind first-place Julien Abselon of France, the reigning Olympic mountain biking champion. Abselon completed the race in 1 hour, 57 minutes, 53 seconds.

Craig returns to action this weekend when he competes in a UCI marathon race in Vigo, Spain. He resumes duty on the cross country tour on May 8 in Madrid.