Spanish Jaime Busto - Beta and multi-world champion Laia Sanz-Gas Gas were the first European riders to claim top podium positions at the opening round of the 2012 Youth Cup and Women European Championship, held at Varallo Sesia, Piedmont in the North-West of Italy.
With more than seventy entries competing in the four classes, the top class saw a close battle for the win. At the half way mark in the competition German Franz Kadlec – Gas Gas, was leading, having lost just 14 points in the 12 sections comprising the opening lap - one point more than Iwan Roberts – Beta
and also separated by a single point, was the ultimate winner Busto.
With a heavy shower of rain making it tough for those riders who started later, Busto performed well in the wet conditions, improving his lap score to 11 points. Behind him, Roberts, who dropped 16 points on his second lap, while first lap leader, Kadlec dropped back into third position.
In the Women’s Championship it was a familiar story as Laia Sanz again dominated the event, despite recovering from a recent injury. Riding very fast she cleaned the whole first lap and dropped just two on her second outing to be assured of the first win of the season. Second place saw a battle of the Brits between Becky Cook – Beta and Emma Bristow – Ossa, a battle in which Cool was to prevail ending on 13 points to Bristow’s 19.
In the crowded International Youth class, where the riders tackled easier sections, it was to be Italians who claimed all three podium positions to the delight of the home crowd. Marco Fioletti - Scorpa was to come out on top over Luca Corvi with Davide Delucchi caliming the final podium place.
Full results from this event are available for download in PDF format:
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Fileset 2810