Europe Triathlon

Before the Triathlon eyes of the World turn to the Olympic Games in London there is a Junior European Cup race to be held in Tabor, Czech Republic, on Sunday.

Perhaps sensing an opportunity to emerge from the shadow of their senior counterparts, there are comprehensive starting line-ups in both races with the Junior Men’s race at capacity.

Tabor is hosting its third successive Junior European Cup and it is a race which is growing year on year. Karel Hotovy, from the LOC, E-On Triathlon Team, said: “The ETU Junior Cup has increased the interest amongst spectators in this sport and triathlon has a very strong position in Tabor with over thirty years of history. Today we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the race.”

Hotovy highlighted the prospects of Czech pair Luka Cervenka and Niki Kaskova as local athletes to watch out for in this race and he believes the Junior races are the perfect platform for younger athletes to test themselves.
He said: “I think that to compete with other athletes from Europe is vital and it is the engine to improve and gain some experiences. We believe that it is very important to take part in these events.”

JUNIOR WOMEN PREVIEW

In the Junior Women’s race, Ivana Kuriačková (SVK) is in fine form having won the last two Junior Cups in Holten and Tiszaujvaros. But she faces a strong field and will have to perform well again if she is to claim a hat-trick of titles within a month. Last year, Kuriačková posted a DNF and she is in form to do much better this time.

Eszter Pap, with a win in Vienna and runner up spot at Tiszaujvaros in her last two races, is also in excellent form and will be a contender here.

Georgia Taylor-Brown (GBR) is the Junior European Champion and she competes in her first European race since Eilat.

Alina Hambrusch (AUT), Aneta Grabmullerova (CZE), Renata Fuchs (HUN) and Olga Agapova (RUS) have experience of competing in Tabor in previous years without threatening the podium and they have the potential to do well in this race.

JUNIOR MEN PREVIEW

In the Junior Men’s race, Jelle Geens returns to Junior competition after an excellent cameo in the Elite competition in Geneva, where he finished a credible 21st in his first Elite race.

In his last Junior outing, Geens finished second in Holten earlier this month, but the 2011 No.1 ranked junior athlete will be determined to get back to the top of the podium for the first time in 2012.

British duo Gordon Benson and Marc Austin will offer a threat as will David Pap (HUN), a winner in Vienna, and Ivan Menshykov (UKR), a winner in Kupiskis.

Amitai Yonah (ISR) will be confident after posting his first podium (and top ten finish) outside of Israel at Tiszaujvaros.

Another young gun to watch is Kristian Blummenfelt. The Norwegian hasn’t competed in European International competition as often as he would have liked in 2012, but in two races he has two bronze medals and he will hope to perform as well here.