Nikoline Splittorff, Denmark and Vojtech Ludvik, Czechia successfully defended their Long Distance titles in a demanding race in hilly Bulgarian terrain today. Ludvik finished with a 1.54 lead and Splittorff won by 20 seconds.
The very experienced Czech rider Martina Tichovska was best in the early stages, and passed the 8.6 km point in the 30.3 km race 1.47 in front. Splittorff made this up and 20 seconds more by the finish, being stronger on the hills and taking good route choices. Tichovska took the silver medal, and another Dane, Camilla Søgaard, was 3.18 down on the lead after 8.6 km, but ended 0.41 behind Splittorff to take bronze, her best result of the championships.
Women’s podium – all photos here by Nina Hoffmann.
The young Danish rider Morten Ӧrnhagen Jørgensen was in the lead at the finish in the men’s race for quite some time, and was only 7 seconds down on the eventual winner after 12 km. Ludvik brought all his experience and strength to bear in the later stages of the 37.6 km course with 990 m climb, and finished 1.54 ahead of Andreas Waldmann, Austria and 2.13 ahead of Jørgensen. Czechia’s strength in depth was clear with three in the top six, not including Middle Distance winner Krystof Bogar who was fourteenth today.
Men’s podium
The Junior rising star Iris Aurora Pecorari from Italy excelled herself today, with a win in W20 by 7 minutes and 26 seconds! She also won the Sprint and Middle races. The men’s M20 race today was somewhat closer, Hannes Hnilica from Austria winning by 51 seconds.
W20 podium.
M20 podium.
This was a very good day for Denmark with 3 medals; their best rider, Nikoline Splittorff, won the Mass Start race too and was bronze medalist in the Sprint.
The final race in the Championships is tomorrow – the men’s and women’s Relay races starting at 10.00 EEST (UTC + 3 hours).
Leading results – Long Distance
Women
- Nikoline Splittorff DEN 106:20
- Martina Tichovska CZE 106:40
- Camilla Søgaard DEN 107:01
- Gabriella Gustafsson SWE 110:18
- Gabriele Andrasiuniene LTU 111:39
- Constance Devillers FRA 111:59
Men
- Vojtech Ludvik CZE 103:35
- Andreas Waldmann AUT 105:29
- Morten Ӧrnhagen Jørgensen DEN 105:48
- Jan Hasek CZE 107:06
- Fabiano Bettega ITA 107:25
- Vojtech Stransky CZE 107:46
Junior World Championships medalists
W20
Gold – Iris Aurora Pecorari ITA
Silver – Adela Ryglova CZE
Bronze – Jade Boussier FRA
M20
Gold – Hannes Hnilica AUT
Silver – Augustin Leclère FRA
Bronze – Lukas Wieser AUT