Everything is ready for the 2016 edition of the MTB European Championships that will take place from 5 to 8 May in Huskvarna (Sweden). For four days, the small town twinned with Jönköping will become the capital of cycling. 27 countries will be represented, with 362 athletes (figure at the close of registrations) who will be competing for nine continental titles up for grabs: Team Relay, Eliminator (men and women) and Cross Country (Juniors, Under 23 and Elite men and women).
Technically speaking this event is particularly interesting as some of the best world athletes will be in the line up and for them this event will be one of the last tests before the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro that will take place in August.
David Lappartient, President of the Union Européenne de Cyclisme: «The MTB European Championships will mark the beginning of a new era for the UEC and for cycling on our continent. The agreement with the EBU (Eurovision Broadcasting Union), that will broadcast race footage, will guarantee exceptional media coverage of this event and will be an exceptional promotional tool for cycling in Europe where MTB is attracting increasing numbers of practicioners.
The spectacle of off road disciplines, the natural beauty of the superb setting in which the races will take place, the technical skill of the dedicated organising clubs, IK Hakarpspojkarna, IF Hallby SOK, La Lepre Stanca and Jönköpings CK and the unconditional support of the Swedish Cycling Federation is the best possible guarantee for the success of these 2016 MTB European Championships».
The main participants
At the close of registrations, 362 athletes were registered (246 men and 116 women) representing 27 countries.
Among the most eagerly awaited of these European Championships are some of the most important riders from the international scene such as the Frenchman, Julien Absalon, gold medallist in at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008: five times world champion, he will defend the European title won last year in Alpago (Italy), against stiff competition like his compatriot Maxime Marotte, second in the World Cup round in Cairns (Australia), the representative of the Czech Republic, Ondrej Cink, third in the 2015 World Championships in Vallnord (Andorra) and the Spaniard Josè Antonio Hermida, Olympic silver medallist and World Champion.
In the Espoirs category, all eyes will be on the young talent the Dane Simon Andreassen, twice outgoing World Champion from the Juniors category (2014 and 2015) and the 2015 Juniors Cyclo-Cross World Champion.
In the women’s event great champions are also expected such as the French rider Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, winner of the Road, Cyclo-Cross and MTB World Championships and also the Norwegian Gunn Rita Dahle Flesja, gold medallist at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and 10 times world champion (6 in the marathon and 4 in the cross-country), the German Sabine Spitz, medallist at the last three editions of the Olympic Games: gold in Beijing in 2008, silver in London 2012 and bronze in Athens 2004.
Other top class athletes will be taking part in this event like the Polish rider Maja Włoszczowska (silver Olympic medallist in 2008 and 2010 Cross Country Champion in 2010), the Russian, Irina Kalentieva (third in the Olympic Games in 2008 and twice Cross Country World Champion) and the Danish rider, Annika Langvad, who has won several Marathon World Champion titles, and who triumphed last week in the World Cup round in Cairns (Australia).
Programme
- 5 May, at 19h00: Team Relay (XCR)
- 6 May, at 18h30: Eliminator Finals (XCE)
- 7 May, at 10h30 : Women Juniors Cross-Country (XCO)
at 13h00: Men Juniors Cross-Country (XCO)
at 14h30: Women Under 23 Cross Country (XCO) - 8 May, at 9h30: Men Under 23 Cross Country (XCO)
at 11h30: Women Elite Cross Country (XCO)
at 15h00: Men Elite Cross Country (XCO)
