NEWS

TNatura and ETU work toegether to deliver final race of the year

By Paul Groves | 19 Sep, 2014

The final race of “ETU TNatura Cross Triathlon European Cup” will take place in Slovenia at Pokljuka and Bohinj, in a scenario of immense natural beauty.

This marks the final race of 2014, with not only prize-money for this event but also for the series. Winning that money will not, however, be easy as in true TNatura style this is a course that has to be respected.

Set in and around Lake Bohinj, in Slovenia’s best ski resort the athletes will be surrounded by high mountains and following the two-lap swim (1500m) the bike course contains over 500m of climbing. At only 22km it might seem short. Well, we have seen Almere with 180km and Zofingen with 150km but these 22km over four laps will take the athletes up a steep climb each lap and will be mostly on gravel roads. The Devil’s Bridge is out on the course – perhaps as a warning to all that this is not an easy course. The run is 8km and will be six tough laps on gravel and with a sharp climb. Spectators will be able to cheer on the athletes as they pass Transition on each lap.

So, who is racing ? The Elite Women will see a battle between Helena Erbenova CZE and Kathrin Müller GER.Erbenova took bronze recently in the ITU World Cross Championships in Zittau, bronze in the TNatura European Championships in Sardinia and has a strong Winter Triathlon background with previous victories at World and European Championships over the traditional run, MTB, ski format. Müller is currently riding high on her Schluchsee TNatura gold, and her domination in other cross triathlon races. Sabina Rzepka POL has made the move from Age Group athlete to Elite this year and just missed the podium with a 4th place in the Predni Vyton TNatura race, having to see the Swiss athlete Renata Bucher take gold. Her silver in Sardinia shows her strength. Maud Golsteyn NED has been following the TNatura series with a couple of silvers and so amongst the women there is great strength and depth.

Amongst the Elite Men we should are many like Jiri Klima CZE who have been racing the TNatura circuit this year. Kris Coddens BEL is the one to watch though as current TNatura European Champion. His speed off the bike is what took him clear in Sardinia. Also from the Czech Republic is Pavel Jindra who is strong in this format as well as being a Winter Triathlete. His countryman Jan Kubicek with gold and silver TNatura medals already in his collection this year is equally one to watch.

 More information regarding the race here. On TNatura facebook page  On TNATURA Twitter

Ranking - Women

Ranking - Men