29. avgusta 2016

In Poland Slovenian was 33 hundreds slower than junior world champ, last year’s champion Jure Žabjek just behind top three.

Slovenian National Team member Monika Hrastnik won silver medal in women’s elite category at 2016 European Downhill Championships in Wisla, Poland. The 22 year old member of Blackthorn Team was 33 hundreds of a second slower than last year’s Junior World Champion Marine Cabirou of France. Swiss Lea Rutz finished in bronze medal position.

After the race Monika told this: “The course was dry and slippery with many rocks and roots but I liked it. It was the hardest race ever for me because I was not able to concentrate on the course after Zarja’s tragic accident. I just rode to make it to the finish in my training runs and I had a really bad qualification run with lots of mistakes. I managed to get it together for my final run and made up 6 seconds on my quali run. I made one major mistake and got off my line but it was enough for second. I dedicate this run to Zarja. I still can’t believe what happened, she will always be with me on my bike.”

Last year’s champion Jure Žabjek was not able to defend his title, three riders were faster this time: local hero Slawomir Lukasik won in front of Swiss Lutz Weber and anotjer Polish rider Wojchiech Czermak. Jure, member of Unior Tools Team, was 2 seconds behind the winner and 4 tenth of a second behind bronze medal.

Miran Vauh finished in 19th, Žiga Pandur in 30th in his first race after injuries in Fort William and Jan Cimperman in 49th place.


Top three with Jure in 3rd just before Weber finished his run, photo by organizer

“The course in Wisla is very short and not very technical. So you will loose many positions with each mistake,” said Jure after the race. “I had a very good top part in my qualification run but ran out of course in the bottom. So I was much more careful there in my final run and finished fourth. It is true that only medals count at the Championships but I’m happy with my result and I am motivated for the next two important races.”

Žabjek won his title at this venue last year in front of Lukasik and Weber while Monika finished fourth.

Results

Top three women in top photo, photo by organizer

Also see
Luka Berginc wins his first at Soriška


The atmosphere in Wisla can be wild, photo by organizer

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