Although, the bad weather conditions and cancellation of the final part of the competition, it has been safely and officially finished. As it was already written, the results from the qualification part were called official.
After the rewarding ceremony there was couple of ceremony speeches, where the speech of mayor Marjan Poljšak stood out. Using an unique English he invited everybody to come back to Ajdovščina to some similar event, in better weather conditions (that our mayor promised in his speech).
The final race officially cancelled – the qualification results are final
27. June 2009
It as just been announced by the board of judges that the final race is also officially cancelled. The main reason for this decision was the safety of the competitors, which would be at the slippery track considerably compromised. The organizers, the visitors and even the majority of the contestants did not accept the decision with accordance. The enthusiasm regarding the decision have understandably greatest at the Czech team, as they will bring to the winning stage two members.
The final results of the 5th European Championship in the 4-cross are:
Men:
1. Michal Prokop (Czech Republic)
2. Roger Rinderknecht (Switzerland)
3. SLAVÍK Tomas (Czech Republic)
Women:
1. Molcik Anita (Austria)
2. Rachel Seydoux (Switzerland)
3. Lucia Oetjen (Switzerland)
Best slovenian was Luka Novak at 6th place.
The judges do not want to continue with the race
27. June 2009
The board of judges is currently deciding when they would continue the race, but they are more inclined to cancel the race, due to the difficult conditions at the track. Some of the contesters share the opinion with them, as the conditions do not allow showing all the qualities and therefore the race would lose its charm. The organizers would like to take the race to the end, but they will have to respect the decision of the judges. Nevertheless, another postponing of the race to tomorrow is not possible. Anyway, in meantime the rain has stopped which still gives some hope to carry out the finals, but we still do not have any official information.
Official results of the qualifications announced
27. June 2009
Further you can see the official results of the qualifiations. The fastest on the track were Mial Prokop and Anita Molcik. The best among the Slovenians was Luka Novak at the very good 6h place.
Men:
1.Prokop Michal
2.Rinder Knecht Roger
3.Slavik Tomas
4.Fischbach Johannes
5.Tatarkovic Kamil
6.Novak Luka
7.Mcavoy Kieron
8.Medvešček Kristjan
9.Wichman Joost
10.Mechura Lukas
11.Seydoux Pascal
12.Riha Jakub
13.Frank Tilen
14.Beaumont Scott
15.Muhlhans Petr
16.Gspan Dominik
17.Strasek Adam
18.Tejchman Premek
19.Alvarez Rafael
20.Derbier Quentin
21.Gottschlich Florian
22.Kiener Adrian
23.Pirman Rastislav
24.Hnidak Jakub
25.Meijer Jurg
26.Stapič Matej
27.Dowie Tom
28.Graf David
29.Polc Filip
30.Campbell Patrick
31.Gohler Aiko
32.Slavik Hannes
33.Paradowski Piotr
34.Axelsonn David
35.Pesko Marek
36.Ersek Jan
37.Tschugg Arne
38.Vidko Matej
39.Pisanec Boštjan
40.Prischeczky Milan
41.Knez Žiga
42.Gawlikowski Rafael
43.Kulesza Robert
44.Siedl Nicolas
45.Ostrowski Tomasz
46.Van Veghl Joey
47.Vešligaj Luka
48.Chmiel Maciej
49.Vigh Kis Gabor
50. Oleszkiewicz Remigiusz
51.Podmilješak Jani
52.Scherz Stefan
53.Stupar Matija
54.Prajczer Peter
55.Hanko Adrijan
56.Bratina Andrej
57.Bruckner Petrik
58.Hren Gašper
59.Gladen Dominik
60.Novak Jan
61.Seidel Nico
62.Tschugg Gwido
Women:
1.Molcik Anita
2.Seydoux Rachel
3.Oetjen Lucia
4.Beerten Anneke
5.Hohenwarter Angelika
6.Marth Steffi
7.Brethauer Laura
8.Castro Fernánde Eva
The decision about the further stage of the competition will be decided at 6.30 pm.
Weather, weather, weather…
27. June 2009
One more time, the weather has shown that it is the master of the events. It looks like we were in the Monsoon area and not at the sunny Mediterranean. At the moment it is ‘pouring cats and dogs’, but shall it be bright again, we would see. Yet there is no official announcement of the fate of the match.
Official start of the final race at 5.45 pm
27. June 2009
It has just be announced that the final round is going to start at 5.45 pm, before that we are expecting a short half an hour training round.
Finals at 5 pm
27. June 2009
As it seams, weather will stay sunny, therefore the organizers and judges of the competition decide to start with the finals at 5 pm. In mantime a short break for the finalist and than a short training round followed by the finals at 5.15 pm.
At the woman competition the first in qualifications was Anita Molcik from Austria.
Qualification round at the full power
27. June 2009
Qualification is going on in accordance to the plan. Cyclists are competing in ideal weather conditions. Although, the track is still a bit soggy due to the morning rain, therefore the usual high speeds are not reached. Soon when the results will be known, we will publish them at our website.
A nice weather also brought to Pale a greater number of spectators as we could expect after the cloudy morning. Those planning to attend the championship are advised to leave the cars at the parking place in front of the sport centre Police and walk to the scene (5 minutes). Refreshments are also available, so come and spend a fun Saturday evening at Pale.
Luka Novak (SLO) excellent
27. June 2009
Slovenian Luka Novak just finished the qualification. With the great ride and excellent time he is currently placed at 6th place, as it is a great forecast for the final combats. Official results of the qualification will be announced straight after the end of qualification round at our website.
At least! Ideal weather conditions!
27. June 2009
Weather conditions in Ajdovščina have in last couple of hours drastically changed, resulting in ideal condition for the superior performance of the European championship in 4-cross. Sunny weather with the temperatures well over 20 degrees and a pleasant slight breeze put the contesters and visitors in very good mood.
Qualifications started a bit later: at 2.30 pm, so the organizers can use every single ‘sunny’ minute to further dry out the soggy ground. Final contest has been postponed to 4 pm.
So all the visitors hesitating to come due to wet weather have now a great chance to attend the event and co-create a great European cycling spectacle.
LATEST NEWS
27. June 2009
Changing weather conditions forced organizers to choose a swift decision: the short and quick training will take place at 1.30 pm, following by the official qualifications at 2 pm. In meanwhile the contestants are already changing their gear for the wet and muddy conditions…
Official training suspended
27. June 2009
Due to the rain with showers the official training has been suspended. The qualifications will take place when the weather condition will allow us to continue with the event. Yet we can say that the quick look into the sky gives us some optimism.
For latest news please follow our website.
Official starting list
27. June 2009
Official starting list of the 5th European championship in 4-cross:
WOMEN
1 BEERTEN Anneke NED
2 MOLCIK Anita AUT
3 HOHENWARTER Angelika AUT
4 OETJEN Lucia SUI
5 CASTRO FERNÁNDE Eva ESP
6 SEYDOUX Rachel SUI
7 MARTH Steffi GER
8 TELTSCHER Stephanie GER
9 BRETHAUER Laura GER
MEN
1 WICHMAN Joost NED
2 ÁLVAREZ DE LARA Rafael ESP
3 RINDERKNECHT Roger SUI
4 TSCHUGG Guido GER
5 FISCHBACH Johannes GER
6 TATARKOVIC Kamil CZE
7 MEIJER Jurg NED
8 POLC Filip SVK
9 PROKOP Michal CZE
10 SLAVIK Tomas CZE
11 BEAUMONT Scott GBR
12 MECHURA Lukas CZE
13 VAN VEGHEL Joey NED
14 GRAF David SUI
15 DERBIER Quentin FRA
16 VITKO Matej SVK
17 GSPAN Dominik SUI
18 SEYDOUX Pascal SUI
19 SIEDL Nicolas AUT
20 HNIDAK Jakub CZE
21 CAMPBELL JENNER Patrick GBR
22 GOTTSCHLICH Florian GER
23 SLAVIK Hannes AUT
24 PESKO Marek SVK
25 PRAJCZER Peter HUN
26 PRISCHECZKY Milan HUN
27 KULESZA Robert POL
28 SCHERZ Stefan GER
29 TEJCHMAN Premek CZE
30 DOWIE Tom GBR
31 HANKO Adrian GER
32 KIENER Adrian SUI
33 OSTROWSKI Tomasz POL
34 OLESZKIEWICZ Remigiusz POL
35 STASEK Adam CZE
36 STAPIC Matej SLO
37 PIRMAN Rastislav SVK
38 FRANK Tilen SLO
39 SEIDEL Nico GER
40 PARADOWSKI Piotr POL
41 NOVAK Luka SLO
42 VIGH KIS Gabor HUN
43 RIHA Jakub CZE
44 BRUCKNER Petrik GER
45 ERSEK Jan SVK
46 KNEZ Žiga SLO
47 GLADEN Dominik GER
48 MUHLHANS Petr CZE
49 CHMIEL Maciej POL
50 MADERTHANER Stephan AUT
51 NOVAK Jan CZE
52 GOHLER Aiko GER
53 MCAVOY Kieron GBR
54 GAWLIKOWSKI Rafal POL
55 PODMILJŠAK Jani SLO
56 BRATINA Andrej SLO
57 MEDVEŠCEK Kristjan SLO
58 PISANEC Boštjan SLO
59 STUPAR Matija SLO
60 HREN Gašper SLO
61 VEŠLIGAJ Luka SLO
62 DAVID Axelsson SWE
63 TSCHUGG Arne GER
Qualifications start at 1 am and the final race at 4 pm.
Start of the official training
27. June 2009
At 11am the official training started for all the competitors. Although there was a abundant rain, the track is very well prepared for the top-class spectacle. Qualification round starts at 1 pm and the best racers will be competing in the 4-o’clock final (postponed due to weather conditions).
Foto: Samo Trebižan
D-day for the organizers and the contestants
27. June 2009
Today is the day! The atmosphere in Pale is excellent; there is only some (positive) nervosa among the contestants. If the weather will remain pleasant, we can expect a great cycling spectacle - although, the weather forecast is mostly cloudy with the storms and showers. We can just hope that this time it will stay only with the clouds.
Following the past days experiences, the organizers decided to postpone the final contest to 4 pm, to avoid the rain that has ‘cooled’ us in the last late afternoon hours. About the rest of the events you will be regularly informed on our website.
Foto: Samo Trebižan
Attractive ending of the first day
27. June 2009
After the official opening of the European championship, the visitors could enjoyed in the tricks of skate-boarders from all across of the country. At the strong competition the victory went to Tomaž Šantl from Ljubljana. The title ‘Tsar of the day’ was this time won by two competitors: Nal Lipič Hvala from Postojna (title won due to his courage – boy is only 6 years old), the other tsar was Nik Šver who left the best impression by the jury.
The order of the best:
1. Tomaž Šantl (Ljubljana)
2. Timotej Lampe Ignjič (Ljubljana)
3. Tomi Praunseis (Trbovlje)
All the competitors have won the practical rewards.
Foto: Samo Trebižan
IMPORTANT! New schedule for saturday
26. June 2009
Information for all the spectators and the competitors: there are some changes in the schedule of the competition.
A new timescale:
10 am – Meeting with the marshals
11 am – Training
1 pm (eventually 2 pm) Qualifications
4 pm Finals
European Championship officially opened
26. June 2009
With the presentation of the national teams, the referees, organizers and with the addressing of the mayor Marjan Poljšak to the public, the 5th European Championship in 4-cross has been officially opened. The opening ceremony was held in the relaxing atmosphere. The speakers have mostly stressed out the hard work, put into the preparation of the championship and expressed wishes to have good weather conditions tomorrow. The mayor, locally known by his ‘interesting’ statements has translated the 4-cross championship as ‘a group of cyclists, that drop down the hill to die for’. Otherwise, the mayor expressed great satisfaction with the fact, that Ajdovščina is hosting an event of such importance as the European championship is.
Competitors investigated the traps of the Black Thorn
26. June 2009
The competitors, filled with the adrenaline have tried the track on the first unofficial training. All the 72 registered competitors have tried the difficult route of Črn Trn and were very delighted with the first experience. Nevertheless, also the weather has shown some affection, so that the training took place in ideal conditions. At the moment the judges are having their meeting and after the meeting the official starting list for the competition will be announced.
Yet, it is interesting to say that the competitors are coming from 13 different countries, among them there are also 9 women. At the starting ramp we will be able to see also the greatest favorites such, as world champion, the Spaniard Alvarez del Lara Rafael, the current European champion Joost Wichman from Holland and a former champion Michal Prokop from Czech Republic.
The event will now continue with the official opening ceremony and ended with the skate show supported with great music.
The first no. 1: MICHAL PROKOP- the interview
19. June 2009
About Michal Prokop
Czech fourcross and BMX
pro rider Michal Prokop managed to step out of shadow of sports giants even
before the flames went up over the Beijing. With his two World Champion rainbow jerseys, two
World Cup titles and 10 World Cup wins in his pocket, Michal Prokop for sure
already belongs to prestigious club of real heroes of gravity mountain biking
history. The life on pedals is his hobby and livelihood as well. The King of
the Czech cycling of 2006 and the Author factory rider acquired all titles on his
mountain bike and he even defended them again. Michal brought himself to the
attention of sports public particularly thanks to his dominant position in
mountain bike fourcross. This guy belongs among the very few exceptional
sportsmen, in the case of whom the one of us may afford to consider any other
placing except win in the top world competition as something surprising. Unlike
most of his other competitors MP devotes himself equally to two related, but
still different disciplines! Moreover, in 2006, just a few months after his
severe injury, Prokop initiated the Czech national team of the track world championship
on oval…
Michal, you are a two times World Champion and also
two times European Champion in 4X. It has been four years since your last
European Champion title. Will you try to regain your title in
2009?
Sure I will do my best as I always do. You know,
European title is not that important to me compared to the World Champion
rainbow jersey or World Cup trophies but anyway I am looking forward to be back
in the fight for gold from Europeans.
You are in Author team since 2003. Do you intend to
stay in Author team?
I am quite happy with Author products and whole
company. They give me free hands to choose whatever event I want. I am an
independent rider with full factory support which suits me well. Even the whole
cycling industry gets currently really hard times and many riders had to change
team colors, Author was well prepared for that situation and still remains the
one of the strongest bicycle producers in Europe.
Those guys supported my career a lot for a long time and they also have big
plans for the future. I am already seventh year with Author and I can easily
imagine to ride for them forever. Never change the winning team! Author race
bikes are built according to my needs from geometry, through tubing to design,
so I can ride frames made exactly in accordance to what I feel to be
the best for me. High-end bikes are available to me no matter what I am going
to do, training on road, flying above trails or working hard on a velodrome.
Quite a few of KK Črn trn (Cycling club Black thorn -
the organizers of EC4X 2009) competitors are fans and owners of Author Prokop
bike. How much are you actually involved in making and developing of this bike?
Yeah, first generation of Author Prokop 4X frames
still has a lot of fans around the World. It’s nice to hear also your guys are
riding my signature frames. You can still buy such a frame, I guess. Bikes I am
currently riding have exactly the same geometry but different tubing. With
generation two and then with G.3 we decided to get closer to the limit and shave some
weight. Now it is pure race weapon which is not for everybody. You can’t buy
formula 1 but there are several very good sports cars available on the market. Same
with Author 4X frames… generation one is still one of the best fourcross frames
you can buy.
As an experienced 4X rider, you have visited a lot of
different 4X courses. Which type of course
do you like the most: "BMX like" courses or
"new-age MTB-rocky" kind of course?
I’d like combination of both, good long first straight
followed by “new-age” rough course all the way down.
Our course is a permanent course that can be ridden
also in winter. Some visiting riders told us
that it is technically demanding. Will you visit the
course before the actual race?
No, my schedule is too busy. Usually, I just check
pics and videos on the internet before the race. Time
scheduled for training is mostly enough to learn the
track.
As an active 4X competitor you are aware of the
results in almost every current big 4X competition. Could you name a few guys
that could be in the finals of EC 4X 2009?
Fourcross is an unpredictable game but to name a few…
Rinderknecht, Wichman, Saladini, Tschugg, Athertons… they (plus many others)
have a solid chance to get into the final. And don’t forget, there are nine
another dudes in the strong Czech 4X Team coming with me!
ELVIS JACKSON Against the gravity
18. June 2009
Elvis Jackson EC4X2009 sponsorship.
Against The Gravity- the new hit from a new Elvis Jackson release is now an anthem for European championships in Ajdovščina.
For price of 15€ per T-shirt you can order a different color and/or size of T-shirts with the same design. Minimal amount of special order is 10 T-shirts (it can include 10 shirts of different sizes, models and color). Orders must be made until 12. 06. 2009.
All orders and reservations must include the following data:
- T-shirt model (men or women),
- color (men: green, blue, red, yellow or women: red, pink), or special order color,
- size (men:XL, L, M and woman: L, M), or special order sizes,
- Information: Your first and last Name and E-mail address.
THE COURSE OF EC4X2009 IS READY
02. June 2009
We are ready for European 4X Championships!
The course is prepared, so we are inviting all national teams to Ajdovščina!
For more information please write to: crntrn4x@gmail.com.
No. 1 ON EC4X IN AJDOVŠČINA- JOOST WICHMAN... the interview
19. Mareh 2009
You
are a two time European champion (2006, 2007). Since there was no 4X EC
race in 2008, will you defend your title in 2009?
I will defend my title
for sure. It's good to have European championships again. Looking forward to
the EC in Slovenia, as Maribor is always a very good organised race.
Joost Wichman
Besides the European Championships 4X Ajdovscina;
26.-27. June, Slovenia is hosting two other big MTB
events this year: European Championships DHI Kranjska Gora; 13.-14.
June, World Cup DHI, 4X Maribor; 20., 21. June.Will you compete or at least
visit these events as a spectator?
Unfortunately i will
not go to the EC DH, but i will be in Maribor for sure to compete. From Maribor we will go straight to the EC. So maybe
we can train a bit more in the EC track …haha
Our
4X course in Ajdovščina is a permanent course (it can be ridden in winter
too). Have you ever heard about it before?
No i never heard
from it before, but as soon as i heard that they will host the EC i looked it
up on the internet. It looks very nice on the pictures!
Which
feature of 4X competition is the most important for you personally?
To me the World
champs, World cup series and the European championships are the most important
races of the season. The worlds are of course the most important race every
year, but for me it's a big deal to defend my european title, and get it 3
times in a row! In all these races it's important to have a good qualification,
so you can pick first on the gate during the finals.
4X
competitions can be long and exhausting for competitors. What do you
think, the organizers should provide, so the competitors would be more
relaxed from qualifications to finals?
To be honest i don't
think it's to exhausting. The competitors know that the races will follow up
each other very fast. I think this is good! Now the spectators do not have to
wait long between the races and see action for more than 1 hour without any
long breaks. I think it's important that the crowd is entertained without any
long breaks. That's the big positive point of 4-cross.
Do
you know any of the Slovenian 4X competitors in person?
Hmmm.. sorry no
i do not know any riders in person by name, but i met a lot of them in Maribor
last year. We went to a party after the race and that was good fun!
Do
you think that the Slovenian team has an advantage, since the 4XEC will be
held in Slovenia?
Maybe it's an
advantage because they can train a lot on the track, but it also can be a
disadvantage because they have more pressure on their shoulders...
Has
the R.S.P. 4-cross racing team already began with trainings for this
season?
Yeah we started
training in the beginning of November. We went to Austria for a teammeeting to set things for the new
season. After this we had some trainingcamps in the south of france. Things are looking very good, we have a
strong team with Jurg Meyer, Tomas Slavik, Marosi and Me. Think you may expect big things in 2009.
Joost Wichman in action.
Ajdovscina
09. February 2009
The capital of Slovenia called Ljubljana is situated in the
centre of the state, that is 45 min away by car.
Ajdovščina has a great history which can be shownd in multiple cultural
remains, mostly from the Roman era…
A part of Ajdovščina called Pale is situated by the river Hubelj where in the
history there was a centre of industry. There were industries of beer, pasta,
and factories of electric source production. After that an army base
was built, which finished its working by independency of Slovenia in year 1990.
In this place a Sport centre Pale is now situated where there is the course
of 4X and a lot of other cultural and sport events.
In the surroundings of Ajdovščina there is a variety of possibilities to have
great mountain bike down-hills. With construction of a main route trough the
Vipava valley there is also a possibility of a safer road cycling on the
local roads of the surrounding area.
Ajdovščina is becoming a great destination for fans and competitors of all
kinds of cycling sport.
