Hit MTB Downhill European Championships in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia provide an upset in women's elite race and a convincing Swiss victory in the men's race.
Nick Beer put theSwiss Flag at the top of the European Downhill Championships. photo: Anze Furlan
The European DH Championships in Slovenia's oldest ski resort on Austrian and Italian borders end with joy for the Swiss team. Nick Beer put on an incredible run in men's elite race and won the race by almost five seconds in front of top French riders Aurélien Giordanengo and Rémi Thirion. Beer has been fast all season and was also the top ranked rider this weekend so he was among the top favourites for the title. "This is an amazing track, it suits me well. It has steep parts, some technical sections and fast straight parts. I made a mistake on top but I somehow pulled it off in the end," said the 21-year old who finished third in European Championships last year. This time he finished on top. "This race is not as important as the World Cup but it feels great to beat some of Europe's best riders," told the Swiss who will also aim for the top next week in Maribor. But before that he has to explore Kranjska Gora: "The only time I went to the village was the opening ceremony so I'm looking forward to tonight's party."
Floriane Pugin on course. photo: Tomaz Deisinger
It was an expected all-French affair in women's elite race on the 2500 m, 450 m elevation drop course in Kranjska Gora bikepark. But surprisingly the number one of the World Cup standing and UCI ranking Sabrina Jonnier failed to defend her title. It was the younger French trio on the podium: Floriane Pugin in front of Emmeline Ragot and Céline Gros. Sabrina finished in 10th after crashing in the first steep forest section while her bike ended up off course. "I did well in last year's World Cup but winning this title is special. I like this course as well as Slovenia so I'm also looking forward to Maribor.
In earlier races French Fanny Lombard won the junior women's title and Bernard Kerr from Great Britain the junior men's with a time that would put him in 5th in the elite category.
After the 5th round of Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup fourcross and downhill in Maribor on June 20/21 the show goes on in Slovenia with the 4X European Championships in Ajdovščina on June 26/27.
UEC recently announced the venues of the 2010 MTB European Championships. The DH Championships will be held in Hafjell, Norway on August 7/8 while the dates for the 4X Championships in Wilthen, Germany have not yet been set.