The 2023 edition of the MTB Youth European Championships (Under 15 and Under 17), in which a total of 839 girls and boys from 27 countries took part, came to a close today with the Cross-Country races at Il Ciocco (Italy).
Switzerland is in first place in the final medals table with 5 gold medals (out of the 14 available), 1 silver and 2 bronze, ahead of Czech Republic (2, 4 and 4) and Italy (2 gold and 3 bronze).
Switzerland has confirmed its position as the benchmark country for the off-road movement, even at a Youth level, with some particularly interesting individuals such as Marwan Barhoumi, winner of the Short Track Under 15 and Cross-Country 14 events, and Anja Grossmann, recent gold medallist at the EYOF in Maribor (Slovenia), who came first in the Short Track Under 17 and Cross-Country 16 events.
Enrico Della Casa, President of the Union Européenne de Cyclisme: "These five intense days could not have come to a better end than in this marvellous setting of Il Ciocco for the European Under 15 and Under 17 Mountain Bike Championships. We have witnessed a great event, undoubtedly one of the flagships of our youth activity, and that is why I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have made this extraordinary Championships possible.
I would also like to thank the families, coaches, National Federations and clubs who took part, especially for the passion with which they support the young people in their sporting development. We know that this experience has enriched young people both as athletes and as individuals.
Special thanks also go to the organisers and owners of Il Ciocco, who worked tirelessly to ensure that everything ran smoothly. Il Ciocco in Tuscany proved to be an ideal venue for these championships, offering not only challenging courses for racing, but also a beautiful natural setting for athletes, families and the public.
The Union Européenne de Cyclisme is committed in the future to continuing to support and promote youth cycling. To ensure the growth of our sport at continental level, it is crucial to invest in young people. By strengthening our commitment and creating new opportunities for young people, we want to develop a solid and concrete path."
The next edition of the MTB Youth European Championships will be held in Huskvarna–Jönköping (Sweden) from 6 to 10 August 2024.
