TAGAYTAY – Sunday, 20 March, 2016 was the ultimate day of competition of this 2016 edition of the FISU World University Cycling Championship in Tagaytay (PHI).
Last competition race of this championship was the mountain bike cross-country Olympic distance (XCO) on the beautiful course set up in the suburbs of Tagaytay and which will remain after this WUC as a legacy for the local riders. Under close to 40°C, the competition was tough and attended by many local spectators, who came to observe the best student riders in the world racing around the 5.3km course set up for the occasion – 5 laps for the women, 7 for the men.
Like in the previous days, the medals were disputed between Germany and Poland while Japan tried to contest the European nations some medals without any success.
Women’s Medal Podium
In the women’s race, fourth event and fourth gold medal for Germany with Sofia Wiedenroth already winner of the eliminator the previous day. The 21-years old rider left the pack in the first meters never to be seen again by her pursuers. Behind her Alexandra Podgorska (POL) quickly took the best on her teammate Turobos (POL) to claim a silver medal while Turobos, silver medallist of the eliminator completed her collection with a bronze medal this time.
Men’s Medal Podium
In the men’s race, Poland took its revenge on Germany placing two athletes on the first steps of the podium. Kurczab and Kawalec managed their race cooperating together to progressively distance Wolf (GER) and finish together, Kurczab taking gold while Kawalec after winning the eliminator on Saturday, added a silver to his collection.
Portugal, next host of the WUC Cycling in 2018
The day was concluded by the Closing Ceremony of the event where the FISU Flag was handed over from the 2016 Organising Committee back to FISU and finally to the delegation of the University of Minho and FADU (POR) coming to represent the 2018 Organising Committee. In 2018, the event will be held in Braga (POR), a well-known organizer for WUCs and FISU events and most of the riders have already expressed their interest to meet there again for another great competition.
(Source: J. Buhajezuk, WUC Dept.)
Results
