Road Worlds 2024: Ferguson wins junior title as Graham takes C3

Great Britain’s Cat Ferguson won the junior road race in challenging conditions at the UCI Road and para-Road Cycling World Championships.

There was further success for Britain when Fin Graham won the para C3 road race ahead of team-mate Ben Watson.

Eighteen-year-old Ferguson beat Paula Ostiz of Spain in Switzerland’s capital Zurich to claim the gold medal and coveted rainbow jersey.

“Paula is super good, but I felt I had the edge on her,” said Ferguson after crossing the line.

“I’m an only child, it’s just me and my mum and dad. They’ve been there through everything. They’re the first people I see when I cross the finish line – it made me cry.”

Slovakia’s Viktoria Chladonova was third with Britain’s Imogen Wolff sixth, one minute 26 seconds behind Ferguson following an earlier crash.

Graham’s win comes after his gold medal at the Paralympics in Paris last month.

“[It’s] special to now be para and World champion,” said Graham. “It was classic British conditions and it showed with two British guys up front.

“There was over 1,000 metres of climbing and 70-odd kilometres – that’s a lot of climbing. But descending in the wet, we’re better than other nations, because we have experience.

“It’s class to be able to ride with Ben and for him to get on the podium,” added Graham.

GB’s Archie Atkinson finished fifth in the men’s para-cycling C4-5 road race.