Source: press release
300 bikers to compete for the title including the 2015 news also the TEAM2, category won by the Lithuanian Top Team
The first 24 hours of the event have just ended here on the Altopiano delle Manie in Finale Ligure where the “Solo Race” was held, a single stage of the 24H WEMBO European Championship, for Solo and Team2 competitors. A competition in the name of competitive spirit that despite being fought slowly with perseverance and determination was still very exciting and there were surprises!
In the men's race the overall winner is the Australian Morgan Pilley, MTB Santa Marinella team, who did not miss a beat. Lap after lap he was able to conquer the title as a true professional. He remained in the lead for all 24 hours and finished the race with 50 laps, 2 more than his pursuers.
“This is the third time I have competed here in the Final and I have always had bad luck. This time everything just went according to plan. I had good legs, great support from the team and I was able to stay in front from start to finish ”he declared satisfied at the end of the race.
For the lower steps of the podium the fight was tougher and in the end Daniel Schmidheiny (Team Swiss Charity Sports) and Sulkus Enaras (International Baltic Team) both had 48 laps, in second and third position respectively. The latter protagonist of an incredible comeback that took place during the night that allowed him to recover 5 positions!
The real show, however, this time the girls gave it. In fact, in the women's race the battle for the title was very close between the Genoese flag-bearer Gaia Ravaioli and Ukraine Elena Novikova, who in the end had the upper hand for a few minutes out of a total of 24 hours of competition! It is forbidden to let your guard down, not even for a small pitstop as the new European 24h Solo Champion WEMBO told us, moved: “I was second until about halfway through the race then I found my rhythm. I felt good and pushed hard during the night. I needed to stop but couldn't it was too risky. Thanks to my team. I am exhausted but very happy, with this performance I was able to demonstrate that I am not just 'a blonde'. "
In third position is another Italian, Giuliana Massarotto, always constant throughout the race, was able to manage her forces well and after 34 laps, 5 fewer than the first women, she took home the lowest step of the absolute podium and the 24h WEMBO European Champion title only in the Lady category.
Bad luck for the two outgoing champions, Ilaria Balzarotti and Rudolf Sprienger. The first was unable to take off to defend the title due to an injury and the Austrian athlete had to abandon the race, despite being fighting for the second position, due to an annoying stomach ache that did not allow him to conserve energy.
This edition will go down in history because for the first time WEMBO opens the doors to team competitions. The title of European Champion therefore from this year will no longer be reserved only for SOLO, but also for the Teams that today at 14.00 pm started from Finalmarina. All except Team2, who instead finished the race today together with the Solos.
The title is won by the Top Team who remained in the lead throughout the race, a team united with a very simple strategy: change every two laps and head down.
“It is the first time that we form a couple for a 24h. For the first 3-4 hours we had fun, we were fast. As the hours passed, the fatigue increased and with it the tension. During the night we found our pace and kept pushing for the rest of the 24 hours. We are happy to be the first winners in the history of the title! " commented at the end of the race the two Lithuanians Eliyus Civilis and Andrius Dolgovas, after 52 laps.
Team Sabbionere is in second position with 50 laps, followed by Team One2One of Brikebike third with 49 laps.
Today the race continues with Team 4, 8 and 12 agonists and not and we get to the heart of the festival with a full program of activities and events all themed Bike Horror Show!
We are waiting for you here on the Altopiano delle Manie.
Below is the list of 24H Solo WEMBO European Champions
