ONE KENDA press release

Round 1 and 2 of the European Chamionship ONE KENDA press release: The first 2 rounds of the European Championship for Junior/Elite Men and Women were held in La Chapelle St. Mesmin. Some of our riders just came back from the Springbreak races in the US but were in shape. Magalie Pottier crashed in practice and had to go to hospital where she was told not to race this weekend.”Round 1 In Junior Men Edzus Treimanis from Latvia and Roy van den Berg from Holland looked good in round 1. Edzus Treimanis took 4th and Roy took 8th. Martijn Scherpen (NL) won followed by Liam Phillips (GB) and Moana Moo Caille (F). In Elite Women, Blandine Cottereau from France looked fast in her first year in the team. In the main event she faught her way back to 2nd place in a sprint with Jana Horakova (CZ). Last year European Champion Latitia Le Corguille (F) won. Aneta Hladikova (CZ) who is still recovering from her broken wrist will be back in Germany for round 3 and 4. Elite Men was awesome. Every year it seems more riders are able to win. Arturs Matisons and Maris Strombergs, both from Latvia, had to compete with dominating riders like Thomas Allier (F), Florent Boutte (F), Thomas Hamon (F), Henrik Baltzersen (DK), Ivo Lakucs (LV). Maris Strombergs had a bad gate in the semi and couldnt make it into the main event. Arturs Matisons had an incredible first straight. With a bike length ahead of the rest going into the first turn, it seemed like a job done. But going into the 2nd turn he left a gap open and Thoman Hamon passed hime. On the last straight Florent Boutte as well and Arturs Matisons took 3rd. Round 2 Edzus Treimanis and Roy van den Berg seemed to be in an even better shape than the day before. With some good moves Edzus Treimanis managed to pass from 4th to 3rd place. First place went to Moana Moo Caille and 2nd place for Roy van den Berg who just missed 1st spot. In Elite women Blandine Cottereau managed to keep up with Latitia Le Corguille (F) on the first straight, however Latitia kept 1st position all the way, followed by Blandine Cottereau and Samantha Cools from Canada. Elite Men was the last race of the weekend. Maris Strombergs looked impressive but got tangled up on the first straight. Arturs Matisons made it to the main and had the holeshot again. The 2nd turn and the same gap, although a little smaller this time, but good enough for Thomas Hamon to put his bike there. Arturs Matisons managed to keep him off and Thomas crashed while Arturs Matisons went too high trying to keep his balance and the front wheel went over the turn which made Arturs Matisons crash. Pablo Guitierrez (F) finished the job and won just in front of Ivo Lakucs (LV) and Henrik Baltzersen (DK). Next stop, round 3 and 4 in Germany”