Report: European MTB Championships

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Road To 2012
European Mountain Bike Championships

Posted July 9 2010
Words By Luke Webber

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Annie Last finished fourth and Lily Matthews eighth in the European Mountain Bike Championships. Racing in the under-23 category, riders tackled the Haifa course in seering 36-degree heat. We have news from British Cycling's Olympic Mountain Bike Coach Phil Dixon. 

Following the reivsed schedule for Olympic Qualification from a four year period to a two year period, British Cycling changed its policy to take no riders to the European Championships in a bid to secure a high count of UCI points. Lily Matthews and Annie Last vindicated this plan in the under-23 women's race, scoring eighth and fourth respectively, while Liam Killeen races on Friday.

Texting in from Isreal, Phil Dixon commented:

"Perfect. Girls rode really well today - it was 36 degrees as well. Solid start to the month of racing in July. They both scored good points here and the Tour d'l'Ain two weeks previous. This new two-year criteria is good for both GB men and women's qualification."

Result - U23 Women

1. Alex Engen (SWE) 1.27.45
2. Kathrin Stirnemann (SUI) 1.28.19
3. Tanja Zakelj (SLO) 1.29.46
4. Annie Last (GBR) 1.30.21
5. Barbara Benko (HUN) 1.30.46
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8. Lily Matthews (GBR) 1.34.35

The following day saw a continuation of the hot conditions and a continued return to form by Liam Killeen who finished seventh. Phil Dixon commented on the positive performance:

"This result shows that Liam is moving on as the season progresses; again it was a hot day at 36 degrees and a long race, with the winner going over two hours, so it was a challenging day in the saddle for the elite riders."

Annie, Lily and Liam now travel back to the UK for the British XC Championships.

Result - Senior Men

1. Jaroslav Kulhavy (CZE) 2.07.40
2. Lukas Flukiger (SUI) 2.08.20
3. Marco Aurelio Fontana (ITA) 2.09.17
4. Christoph Sauser (SUI) 2.09.52
5. Jose Antonio Hermida (ESP) 2.10.03
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7. Liam Killeen (GBR) 2.11.34