The mountain biker Alan Hatherly has won South Africa’s second medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

On Monday, Alan Hatherly, won the bronze medal in the men’s cross-country, for his very first Olympic medal. At one stage the South African from Durban was riding in second, but ultimately had to settle for third. It was definitely a thrilling race with just 11 seconds separating the top three riders.

Thomas Pidcock of Great Britain claimed the win. Picture: X

Thomas Pidcock of Great Britain won the race in 1:26:22 to claim the gold medal. There was silver for the host nation, France, with Victor Koretzky finishing second in 1:26:41.

Hatherly crossed the finish line at 1:26:33 to round off the podium and win South Africa’s second medal at the games. It was a historic moment as Hartherly became the first-ever South African to medal in mountain biking at the Olympics. As a further feather in the South African’s cap, he is also the first Southern Hemisphere rider to medal in the event.

Victor Koretzky, Thomas Pidcock and Alan Hatherly. Picture: X

The #bronze medal goes to South Africa! ????

A well-deserved third place in cycling men’s mountain bike cross-country for Alan Hatherly.@OfficialTeamRSA | @UCI_MTB | #Mountainbike | #Paris2024 | #Samsung | #TogetherForTomorrow pic.twitter.com/wqPBI65XKh

— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) July 29, 2024

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh/cg