Burry Stander, South Africa's medal contender in the men's Olympic cycling cross-country race, finished a credible fifth at Hadleigh Farm, in Essex on Sunday.

Stander, who completed the race in one hour, 29 minutes and 37 seconds (1:29:37), was fourth for a good part of the race.

He fought hard to maintain his position as he was constantly being challenged by Jose Antonio Hermida Ramos (1:29:36) but the Spaniard managed to overtake him just before the finish.

The pair were always a distance behind the three race leaders who jostled for position until the very end.

Switzerland's Nino Shurter was in front for most of the race but he was pipped to the finish line by Czech Jaroslav Kulhavy (1:29:07).

Shurter won the silver medal in 1:29:08 while Italian Marco Fontana, whose saddle came off in the last lap, managed to hold on for the bronze medal, crossing the line in 1:29:32.

South Africa's Philip Buys finished 35th, in 1:40:11.