China pipped Japan at the finish to win the gold in cross-country relay in the 28th Asian Mountain Bike championships here on Thursday.
The Chinese team comprising Wang Zili, Badan Shiqu, Chen Keyu, Ma Caixia, Lyu Xianjing came first in 1:03.24.10s, while Japan timed 1:03.43.17s toi finish ahead of Kazakhstan (1:05.55.15s). India finished seventh in the nine team event.
Japanese rider Toki Sawada established an early lead after the first lap and the second rider Riki Kitabayashi managed to maintain it. However, China’s Ma Caixia, who won silver in the cross-country event in the Hangzhou Asian Games, whittled down the gap and took the lead in the third lap.
