Alan Hatherly of South Africa won the first UCI Mountain Bike World Cup short track race of the season ©Getty Images

Alan Hatherly of South Africa won the first International Cycling Union (UCI) Mountain Bike World Cup short track race of the season in Petrópolis in Brazil.

Hatherly, who won the electric MTB cross-country world title in 2019 in Mont-Sainte-Anne, secured victory in 19min 55 sec.

One second behind him was Thomas Litscher of Switzerland.

France’s Maxime Marotte came in third with a timing of 19:57 while home favourite Henrique Avancini placed fourth with the same time at the first UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Brazil since 2005 when Balneário Camboriú hosted a dual downhill and cross-country round.

Litscher’s compatriot Nino Schurter - who won an Olympic gold medal in this country in 2016 - finished fifth with a time of 20:00.

Home favourite Henrique Avancini managed to finish fourth in Petrópolis ©Getty Images
Home favourite Henrique Avancini managed to finish fourth in Petrópolis ©Getty Images

Among women, Pauline Ferrand-Prevot of France emerged victorious in 19:55.

Finishing one place behind was Laura Stigger of Austria.

Two-time World Championship gold medallist Stigger was one second behind Ferrand-Prevot in 19:56, while Evie Richards of Britain came in third with the same time.

Australian Ellen Rebecca Mcconnell placed fourth in 20:02 and Ferrand-Prevot’s compatriot Loana Lecomte completed the top five with a time of 20:06.

The elite events of the World Cup is scheduled for Sunday (April 10) while men's and women's under-23 races are due to take place on Saturday (April 9).