Gallery: Men’s XCO World Cup Mont-Sainte-Anne

Images: Matt Stetson

Canada’s cross country men have been working their way up the international rankings steadily all year, and that work paid off in Mont-Sainte-Anne on Sunday.

Raphaël Gagné was the best placed Canadian, moving up to 25th at his home province World Cup. The Rio Olympian started his year with the ABSA Cape Epic and a new team, the U.K. based Silverback OMX Pro Team, and his result at MSA is the team’s best Men’s World Cup result to date.

RELATED: Next generation shines at Mont-Sainte-Anne: Fincham 10th, Samson 11th in U23

Canadian national champion Peter Disera (Norco Factory Team) was the next Canuck across the line in 36th, with Forward Racing-Norco’s Andrew L’Esperance close behind in 37th. Local Quebec rider Léandre Bouchard (KMC-Ekoi-SR Suntour) landed in 44th, while Alexandre Vialle finished 51st.

RELATED: Gallery: Elite Women XCO World Cup Mont-Sainte-Anne

Mathias Flueckiger (Thomus-RN Racing) emerged the victor in a dramatic battle at the front of the race. Early leader Nino Schurter’s (Scott-SRAM) advantage evaporated when his chain snapped. Then Anton Cooper looked to be on his way to a potential World Cup win when he crashed hard on the notorious La Beatrice descent. Flueckiger managed his race the best, taking his first ever World Cup win and adding his name to the elite list of Mont-Saint-Anne winners.

For results from the Under-23 races, check here.

Felix Burke at home in

Liam Mulcahy on course

Victor Verrault in the U23 race

Tyler Orschel landed 37th in the U23 Men's XCO

Brody Sanderson started strong, but had to pull out of the race

Quinton Disera had a solid race here in Canada, finishing 14th in U23 Men

Sean Fincham continued his march up the U23 ranks. The U23 Canadian National champion finished 10th at MSA

Norco Factory Team with a full line of Revolver FS race bikes

Elite Men's XCO start. Photo: Matt Stetson

There was a huge crowd out to cheer on the Canadian racers at MSA

Titouan Caron jumped out to an early lead

Nino Schurter has at the front of the race, as usual, before a broken chain ended his chances of winning

Raphaël Gagné pushing hard in his home province. Gagné was the top Canadian in the Men's race in 25th

Anton Cooper had already bridged up to Schurter before the Swiss star's chain snapped

Andrew L'Esperance on course at MSA. The Forward Racing-Norco co-founder has been finding his way up the ranks this year.

Local rider Léandre Bouchard enjoyed plenty of crowd support on course

Stephane Tempier on course in MSA

Mathias Fleuckiger pushing hard on course to take the win

A tight race at the front made for strategic racing

Hot weather made hydration key