Crossword Genius

Took part in American bike race and finished (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

attended

'took part in' is the definition.

'american bike race and finished' is the wordplay.
'american' becomes 'a' (common abbreviation - e.g. in organisation names).
'bike race' becomes 'tt'.
'and' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'finished' becomes 'ended' ('ended' can be similar in meaning to 'finished').
'a'+'tt'+'ended'='ATTENDED'

(Other definitions for attended that I've seen before include "'Went to, was present at (8)'" , "Was present at or waited upon" , "Paid heed" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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