The 2024 edition of the Mountain Bike European Championships, in which 331 riders from 31 countries took part, came to a close in Cheile Grădiștei (Romania) with the success of Simone Avondetto (Italy) in the Elite Cross-Country event.
The races took place in the magnificent setting of the Cheile Grădiștei complex, and at the end of the event, Switzerland won a total of 11 medals (3 gold, 5 silver and 3 bronze).
In the main event, immediately after the start, there was a solo attack by Dane Simon Andreassen, who then suffered a puncture just as Avondetto was making up ground.
The Italian then took off alone towards the finish, which he crossed 50 seconds ahead of Andreassen, who made a fine comeback after his puncture, and 1'07’ ahead of Germany's Julian Schelb, who rounded off the podium.
At the end of a race complicated by the weather conditions, Puck Pieterse (Netherlands) confirmed the title she won last year. The strong Dutch rider took the lead from the start with reigning French world champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, who then retired from the race after several crashes.
Pieterse crossed the finish line 1'12‘ ahead of Mona Mitterwallner (Austria) and 2'15’ ahead of Nina Benz (Germany).
In the Under 23 Women's race, Switzerland's Monique Halter made the difference right from the start to win the second continental title of her career after her Junior title in 2022. The podium was completed by Germany's Carla Hahn and another Swiss rider, Anina Hutter.
The Men's race was particularly hotly contested. Luca Martin (France) and Finn Treudler (Switzerland) took the lead from the start. After a thrilling head-to-head battle, Treudler remained alone in the lead in the final stages, leaving behind him Martin who suffered a puncture and finished third behind the two Swiss riders Finn Treudler and Luke Wiedmann.
Maruša Tereza Šerkezi (Slovenia) was virtually unchallenged in the Junior Women's race and had a race of her own, crossing the finish line 1'32‘ahead of Switzerland's Lara Liehner and 2'06’ ahead of Italy's Giada Martinoli.
In the Men's Juniors, Nikolaj Hougs (Denmark) won the European title ahead of Kryštof Bažant (Czech Republic) and Sweden's Nils Johansson.
The Cheile Grădiștei championships began with the Short Track events dominated in the Elite category by reigning world champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (France) and Danish star Simon Andreassen, while Kira Böhm (Germany) and Peter Joseph Blackmore (Great Britain) dominated in the Under 23 category.
The Junior titles went to Slovenia's Maruša Tereza Šerkezi and Switzerland's Sven Sommer.
Thanks to their impeccable race management, Italy (Valentina Corvi, Giada Martinoli, Chiara Teocchi, Simone Avondetto, Matteo Siffredi and Mattia Stenico) won the Team Relay title ahead of France and Switzerland, who completed the podium.
The next edition of the Mountain Bike European Championships will take place in Melgaço (Portugal) from 9 to 13 July 2025.
