Nikoline Splittorff, Denmark and Samuel Pokala, Finland won today’s Sprint races in the CX80 European MTBO Championships in northern Poland, both by clear margins. Medals went to 5 nations on a warm sunny day in high-speed terrain.
There were many changes in position as the races progressed, with opportunity in places for short-cuts off the paths and tracks, some proving better choices than others. The terrain was mainly forest but with a few open areas, moderately hilly, and a sometimes complex pattern of paths. Quite a lot of route choice was included in the courses, which were 5.9 km long for women and 6.6 km for men, with optimal riding distances more than 8 and 9 km respectively.
Photo: Jakub Kijek / EMTBOC 2024
World Ranking leader Splittorff dominated the women’s race, with a lead of 10 seconds at the intermediate point that was extended to 39 seconds by the finish. Her closest challenger today was the fifth-ranked Lithuanian Gabriele Andrasiuniene; both she and Splittorff were almost a minute ahead of all other riders after many had made mistakes in the first third of the course. Bronze medallist Constance Devillers, France benefited from a strong finish, as the next three competitors were less than 10 seconds slower. The six podium placings were from 6 different nations.
Women’s Sprint course
In the men’s race Pierre Martinez, France led at the split, with the race winner Pokala 1 second slower. Times overall were very close, and sixth place at the finish was only 1.09 down on the winning time.
Photo: Jakub Kijek / EMTBOC 2024
Pokala rode very strongly in the later stages, and finished with a 30-second lead over Ignas Ambrazas, Lithuania who achieved his best-ever international result – so Lithuania has started the championships well with 2 silver medals. Finland took bronze, André Haga finishing 54 seconds down. This was 33-year-old Pokala’s first international Sprint success following a string of medals over Long distance. Defending Sprint champion Krystof Bogar CZE finished sixth.
Men’s course
Tomorrow the tempo changes: Long distance courses are 26.4 km (optimal route 35.4 km) with 400 m climb for the women, and 33.8 km (46.2 km) / 475 m for the men. The estimated winning time in both classes is between 105 and 115 minutes. The races will be covered on IOF Live from 10:00 CEST.
Leading results, Sprint
Women
- Nikoline Splittorff DEN 24:12
- Gabriele Andrasiuniene LTU 24:51
- Constance Devillers FRA 26:37
- Elvira Larsson SWE 26:40
5= Ursina Jaeggi SUI & Ruska Saarela FIN 26:46
Men
- Samual Pokala FIN 22:51
- Ignas Ambrazas LTU 23:21
- André Haga FIN 23:45
- Teemu Kaksonen FIN 23:47
- Bartosz Niebielski POL 23:58
- Krystof Bogar CZE 24:00
Junior EMTBOC – Sprint gold medallists
Women: Iris Aurora Pecorari ITA by 0:52
Men: Hannes Hnilica AUT by 1:21
European Youth MTBO Championships – Sprint gold medallists
Women: Emma Lang FIN by 0:32
Men: Radek Lesage CZE by 0:15