The first day of the European Cyclocross Championship in Pontevedra was reserved this Friday for the Master categories, which offered a total spectacle. Four competitions with all age groups that enjoyed a temperature above 20 degrees and very sunny weather. This opening day ended with three medals for the Galician specialists. Marcial Rodríguez (QuéBici-Marcisport) from Porriñés won the title 60-64; Marina González (Cíes Islands) – from Verin and resident in Vigo – won the silver medal 45-49; and Jorge Aguín from Groves (Supermercados Froiz) obtained bronze 45-49.
At 10:00 a.m. the first of the races, the largest in categories, started, in which nine continental titles were at stake. The second round decided five more champions starting at 11:00. At 1:30 p.m. the start of the third heat took place with the dispute of the masters 45-49 and the masters 50-54, while to close the competition day at 3:00 p.m. the last test was held in which the They put the master championships at stake 35-39 and 40-44.
None of the four races did not disappoint with several championships that provided excitement until the end, and that were not defined until their last lap, making the public gathered at the circuit enjoy the best cyclocross in Europe and that will serve as the starting point of a unforgettable weekend for Pontevedra.
As for the new European Champions, in master 35-39 the French Emilie Petithory and the Spanish Iñaki Carro won; in master 40-44, the Estonian Sille Puhu and the Frenchman Valentin Cosnier; in master 45-49 the triumphs went to the Spaniards Felisa Ares and Isaac Suárez; in master 50-54 the victories went to the French Maryline Vassal and the Spanish Jordi Reñé; in masters 55-59 there was a double Spanish victory with Teresa Infante and Joan Antoni Asensio; in master 60-64, Luxembourg’s Suzie Goddart and Galician Marcial Rodríguez took the gold medals; in masters 65-69 the Dutch Peter Meerburg and the Swedish Carina Börjesson won in their races; in master 70-74 the victories went to the Spanish Juan Mariano Bárcena and the French Christine Dufond; In master 75-79 the new European champion is the Spanish José Simaes and in master 80+ the British Victor Barnett, the oldest participant in the entire European Championship, rose to the top of the podium.
It was a great day for the interests of the Spanish delegation, which in addition to the nine continental championships achieved by Iñaki Carro, Felisa Ares, Isaac Suárez, Jordi Reñé, Teresa Infante, Joan Antoni Asensio, Marcial Rodríguez, Juan Mariano Bárcena and José Simaes, we must add the 9 silver medals achieved by Mikel Santamaría in master 35-39, Iván Díaz in master 40-44, Alberto Sánchez and Marina González in master 45-49, Ruth Moll in master 50-54, Juan Moya and Raquel Montañés in master 55-59, Aitor Zabaleta in master 60-64 and Juan Carlos López in master 65-69 and the ten bronze medals of Deborah Sánchez in master 35-39, Carlos Hernández and Sonia Respuela in master 40-44, Jorge Aguín in master 45 -49, Manu Quintanilla and María Fernández in masters 50-54, Xabier Mendiaraz and Sonia Ortega in masters 55-59, José Martín in masters 60-64 and Ernesto Gallego in masters 70-74.
Enrico della Casa, president of the European Cycling Union, was present at the official awards ceremonies; Delmino Pereira, president of the Portuguese Cycling Federation and vice-president of the UEC; Alfonso Villares, councilor of Mar de la Xunta de Galicia; Anabel Gulías, councilor of Deportes del Ayuntamiento de Pontevedra, and Juan Carlos Muñiz, president of the Federación Ciclismo Galego.
In addition, attendees were able to enjoy the Expo Zone with all the brands and exhibitors, as well as the Gastro Bracelets to consume at the food and drink stands set up next to the circuit.
This Saturday the European Championship continues in Pontevedra with the Team Relay event at 3:00 p.m. in which the state teams from Spain, France, Italy and the Czech Republic will compete. The test can be followed live by streaming through the Youtube channel of the Galician Cycling Federation.
