Kirsten Dellar has finished 28th in today’s opening cycling event, the mountain bike, at Tampine’s Bike Park. 

The BMX specialist did her best on what was a challenging 3.1km course, made more difficult by Singapore’s hot and humid conditions, but was forced to retire after being lapped towards the end of the third lap. 

Switzerland’s Linda Indergrand opened up a handy lead early before the Czech Republic’s Karolina Kalasova wore her down to take the win in 46:58, with Indergrand 8 seconds behind in second and Canada’s Kristina Laforge 2 minutes 24 seconds back in third. 

Indergrand held a 19 second lead at the end of the second of five laps, but Kalasova eventually claimed the lead on the third lap and never looked back.

Aussie Dellar turned the first lap in 27th, two and a half minutes behind Indergrand, as she battled through the trying conditions.

Dellar was eventually lapped towards the end of the fourth lap and as a result was forced to retire, along with all but one of the other BMX specialists.

“It is real hot today and not being my sport it was hard but I tried and didn’t succeed,” Dellar said.

“Being a BMXer it was pretty difficult getting down those rock gardens, but I got through it all and didn’t crash today.” 

With her pet event, the BMX, up next, Dellar is ready to turn the tables on her opponents.

“I will get out there and flog them at the BMX,” she said with a smile.    

“I am going to show those mountain bike girls what BMXer’s can do.”

Following an afternoon of rest, Dellar will head out to support Jay McCarthy as he competes in tomorrow’s time trial.

“I will have a bit of time for relax and recovery now and I am getting a massage this afternoon.”

“I will be definitely heading on to cheer on Jay, he needs the support.”

Michael Baker is next up on the Mountain Bike track as looks to convert a successful season back home into Youth Olympics success.