EuroMTB Youth Challenge races recap

U17 Men

First race of Fridays EuroMTB weekend was U17 (P15-16) going at it at. A strong start field of 40 riders did three laps on a shortened version of the EuroMTB-course,  however a hard course.

At the final lap Albin Johanson (SWE/MeraLeraMTB) had work his way to a larger gap down to Eric Herlitz (SWE/Tullinge SK) and on 3rd Albin Petterson on his hometrack (SWE/IK Hakarpspojkarna). Fighting for the places behind we saw two Norweigian riders Vinjar Lökken and Fredrik Bådstangen.

The course have some power uphills and Albin Johansson have strong legs making his chain burst during the final lap. He could not hold off Herlitz that finished strong as making first place in the one and only EuroMTB Challenge U17 2016 ever. Johansson although managed to get the gear together making second place. Pettersson had a really good race came in third making the podium!

U 15 Men

Into the final lap in he U15 Viktor Lindquist (SWE/Kolmårdens MTB) had a 30 second gap down to second placed Isak Garfvé (SWE/IK Jarl Rättvik). Garfvé was closely followed by danes Sander Kristianssen and Emil Bødker, challenging from behind was Viggo Karlsson (SWE/Varberg MTB).

Viktor Lindquist had a stabile final lap and seemed to have paced himself well over they race keeping the opposition behind (winning by 29 seconds).

– I went  flat out on the last lap to overtake the second place, explained a happy silver medalist Emil Bödker.

Isak Garfvé held off for third a third place finish.

He and he’s teammates from Denmark liked the tough and technical track and was especially happy for the bridges.

– It´s also fun with 30 minute races. Normally we compete in 45 minutes race in Denmark so today was just all flat out, said Otto Larsen Schmidt who ended up in 7^th place.

U17 Women

Saga Molin (SWE/Varbergs MTB) showed early in the race that she was in for the race and had a big lead as she went out on the last lap. Trailed by minutes by finish Vilma Salmela (Team 2020 Korson Kaiku) Ida Kristensen (SWE/Stjernhofs IK) trailed in third.

Saga Molin kept that lead all the way and crossed the finishline with raised arms and a big smile.

– It was a great race and I never really had to think about the competition. I liked the track a lot and think I had a big advantage in the climbs, said a happy Saga Molin.

Vilma Salmela from Finland tock second place and was also impressed by the track.

– I like the technical parts, it was the most technical track I ever raced.

U15 Women

In the afternoons second race, U15 women, local rider Tuva Andersson (SWE/IK Hakarpspojkarna)  went out on the last lap ahead of Linn Palmberg (SWE/OK Hammaren) who was trailed by Ellen Andersson (SWE/IK Hakarpspojkarna), also local from Huskvarna.

– It felt really good, tough track but I have done a lot of training here. I followed Linn Palmgren in the beginning but choosed a faster line and overtook her for the first place, explained a super happy Tuva Andersson.

Linn Palmgren also had to give in to another home rider Ellen Andersson who made a superb finish.

Resultat hittar ni här.