Jan Hasek (CZE) won his second gold medal in two days when the CX80 WMTBOC-athletes raced the mass start on Wednesday. Among the women, the leader in the World Cup, Nikoline Splittorff (DEN), was the fastest and became world champion.
Yesterday’s nice weather was replaced by rain when the athletes were sent off into the forest on Wednesday morning.
The women were first out in the forest with 27,5 kilometers ahead of them and 370 meters to climb.
After 80 minutes of racing, Denmark’s Nikoline Splittorff won the fight for gold in the four-woman group, where Gabriele Andrasiuniene (LTU) took silver 22 seconds behind the Dane. The bronze medal went to Czechia’s Valerie Kamererova seven seconds further down, and Algirda Mickuviene (LTU) had to settle for fourth place a few seconds behind her.
Women’s podium. Photo: Nina Hoffmann
Behind the leading group the defending Mass start champion Martina Tichovska (CZE) and Cæcilie Christoffersen (DEN) took the subsequest positions on the podium more than three minutes behind.
In the men’s race, Jan Hasek took a clear win after 30,8 kilometers of racing. He had a margin of 51 seconds to silver medalist Samuel Pokala (FIN), while Fabiano Bettega (ITA) won the sprint for bronze just ahead of Luca Dallavalle (ITA), Jiri Hradil (CZE) and Oliver Friis (DEN) in that order.
Men’s podium. Photo: Nina Hoffmann
France had an impressive day in the junior classes. In M20 Augustin Leclere (FRA) won ahead of Hannes Hnilica (AUT) and compatriot Antoine Lesquer.
M20 podium. Photo: Nina Hoffmann
In W20, Jade Boussier won another gold for France, more than one minut faster than Minna Palm (SWE) and Sofie Stranska (CZE), who took bronze – her second medal in Bulgaria.
W20 podium. Photo: Nina Hoffmann
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The Middle distance takes place on Thursday – first start from 10.00 EEST (UTC +3)
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Top photo: Kiril Panayotov