“It’s awesome. We’ve become so strong!” launches the Belgian champion Jana Van Lent who, at 23, held her own against the best European specialists, starting with the Italian Nadia Battocletti, the German Konstanze Klosterhalfen, the Turkish Yasemin Can and the Romanian Delvine Relin Meringor, the only competitors to have beaten her. “With a medal two years in a row, we show that we are there among the ladies too. This is not so obvious as a small country. It’s incredible.”
European Cross Country Championships: Belgium is the silver medalist for men and the bronze medalist for women!
On this Turkish course which was ultimately quite rolling and in dry weather, Jana Van Lent signed the best result of a Belgian female athlete in this continental meeting since Almensh Belete (4th) in 2014.
gullI tried to stay calm during the race, but it was difficult…
“It’s crazy! I thought the top 10 would be very difficult to reach and in the end, I’m even fighting for a medal”smiled the Excelsior athlete, who was “very relaxed” before the race. “I really don’t know what to say. I tried to stay calm during the race, but it was difficult. On the last lap, there were too many things going through my mind to stay focused. It was very special. I don’t think I fully realize that I’m fifth yet.”
Behind Jana Van Lent, seventh among the hopefuls last year, Lisa Rooms (18th) and Victoria Warpy (23rd) brought valuable points to our women’s team which was completed by Roxane Cleppe (38th).
“I wasn’t having a great day and I devoted myself entirely to the result as a team”underlines Rooms, which was unable to repeat its 6th place from the previous edition.
“Third, it’s a very good overall result”underlines Victoria Warpy, who was able to gain a few places in the last hectometers. “As the laps went by, I thought we were in the race but it wasn’t until the finish that I realized we actually had bronze.”
Heymans disappointed with his race
After the gold medal won in Brussels last year, the time was less for euphoria than for satisfaction within the men’s team who once again managed a beautiful group shot with Isaac Kimeli ( 4th), John Heymans (15th) and Robin Hendrix (18th), with Nicolaï Saké finishing further back (34th).
“I’m happy to have been able to help the team win silver, but it’s not the individual result I came forcomments Heymans. The race started very quickly and the tempo never went down.”
Cross-country Euro in Brussels: Hendrix makes a splash, the Belgian collectives shine
In sight in the first part of the race, Robin Hendrix managed his efforts afterwards. “A new medal is fantastic. I really enjoyed the racesays the 2023 bronze medalist. The gaps narrowed and we had to fight for every second. We did it!”
Only regret: the mixed relay, only seventh with Audah, Parewyck, Dalemans and Vandelannoote, unfortunately did not get up to speed!
