Euromtb 2016 wish you a happy new year!
Happy New Year to all of you from the 2016 EuroMTB organization in Huskvarna, Sweden! We wish 2017 to be the best year...
First year junior Sophie Wright (GB) was not amongst the candidates spoken about before the race but she had a 3rd place finish in the UCI Junior World Series in Switzerland 2016 and her speed seemed to peak at the (w)right time.
At first climb to Heavens fall she was in a leading gruop headed by Hélène Clauzels with world champ Martina Berta closing the pack. Trailing the group was Danish Caroline Bohé who looked like she really wanted to reach the podium. When the riders turned down the ski slope again Sophie Wright showed that she was one of the top contenders.
The hard course at Huskvarnaberget with about 200 altitude meters per lap (Women Juniors did 4 laps) with technical descents also seemed to fit Wright perfectly powering her way and having the lead after the first lap closely followed by Helene Clauzel (FRA).
On the second lap had Wright and created a comfortable lead over Clauzel with Bohé now in third looking strong for the bronze. On the second decend from Heavens fall Bohé looked a bit chased by the German/Austrian duo Leonie Daubermann and Anna Spielman.
But that was the last time that duo had their eyes on the podium because out on the last lap all tre riders on the podium sat in comfortable lead and Sophie Wright seemed to have had rocket fuel for breakfast as she flew away from the rest towards the European Womens junior title.
Wright then amazingly powered to a three minute win over Clauzel and in third danish Caroline Bohé.
Preliminary results.
