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...
Just looking at the cross country (XCO) discipline at the World Championships (Vallanord) 21 medals was awarded (J, U23, Elite). A staggering number of 19 (!) of them was won by European cyclist (including the Team Relay).
The UCI-ranking shows 8/10 in Womens Elite ranking are European with swiss Jolanda Neff (European Champion 2105) at the top of the table. Then we have Swedens neighbours placing second and third; Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå (Norway) and Annika Langvad (Denmark). Then if you look into the Women UCI World Cup series you get at bit (just little bit) less European in the top-10 although that is not the case in the mens elite category with Europe dominating.
The mens Elite category UCI-rank follow the same path, 9/10 being European. Julian Absalon from France (also European Champions 2015) having the top spot followed by Nino Schurter (World Champion from Switzerland).
In the mens elite category the battle between Absalon and Schurter is ongoing. Absalon with five World Champion titels and Schurter with four, competing in the World Cup Series, Olympics and so on. But there is one thing Schurter does not have apart from Absalon, that is actually a Gold medal in the XCO Elite category at a European Championship! An empty space in the medal cabinet that is. Of course both will look at Rio as their main goal, Absalon with two golds and Schurter with a second and on third place finish.
However, whoever line up at the starting line, it is safe to say that you will see the top riders of the world next year in Huskvarna, Sweden, 5-8 of May. Welcome to join the action!
Here´s a greeting from Julian Absalon right after winning in Alpago this summer.
