Sam Gaze of New Zealand during a training session. Photo: SW Pix / www.photosport.nz
A heartbroken Sam Gaze has spoken of how he tried to overcome a "horrendous" start and had nothing left, after climbing to sixth in a fast Olympic mountain biking medal final.
Gaze told reporters after his gutsy race he had "emptied" himself in a fast and "attritional" race won by Britain's Tom Pidcock, who roared back after suffering a puncture to retain his title.
Pidcock had needed all his skills to first claw back a 40-second deficit, and then hold off France's Victor Koretzkyin in a barnstorming last-lap battle through the trees and rocks of the 4.4km Elancourt Hill circuit.
Gaze had worked tirelessly to pull himself back into contention after a poor start. After eight laps he was back in 16th, but gradually worked his way back into contention until Pidcock spread the field with his searing ride.
"I emptied myself out there," Gaze said. "I can only be content that I had left everything out there."
He described his start as "unfortunate" and "horrendous", but tried to stay calm and come back into contention.
"Obviously the result is not what I came here for. To be honest, I'm quite heartbroken. At one point, I believed a medal was still in reach after my horrible start, and then when I tried to follow back to [the lead group] I knew I didn't have it then."
An advocate for mental health, Gaze had spoken openly about dark days after suffering injuries in a crash.
On Tuesday (NZ time) he talked about trying to focus on the positives, despite coming to terms with a result not as good as he had hoped.
"I like to think I am in a good place now mentally. Today it is a massive pill to swallow, then life goes on. When I was younger I thought my identity was tied up in what I did on the bike - not now. I am upset, but don't lose hope. I will feel sorry for a bit, it's not the ending I hoped for, it'll hurt."
New Zealander Samuel Gaze and Czech Ondrej Cink pictured in action during the men's cross-country mountain bike cycling race at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Photo: DIRK WAEM / AFP
He said, though, he could be his own worst enemy, constantly striving for perfection.
"I should be easier on myself - I've done a lot of things I never imagined when I was 12 years old."
Gaze said he was proud to represent his country and knew he had the support of his family, who were proud of his achievements.
"I've got to be happy - I am very fortunate to live the life I do, and be grateful representing your country at the world's biggest sporting event."
Asked about Pidcock's race, he described him as "class" and born for mountain biking.
"He's 55kg, explosive, especially good in the heat - he's class, kudos to him."
He hopes to still be in contention for a place at the Los Angeles games in 2028, and has an ambition to be an Olympic champion - perhaps next time.
