Silver for Felipe Orts at the European Cyclocross Championships, five medals in total
Felipe Orts won silver last Sunday at the European Cyclocross Championships on home soil. In Pontevedra, he had to concede defeat to Thibau Nys in the final lap after an intense duel. Afterwards, he dedicated his medal to the victims of the flooding on Spain's eastern coast. Alongside Felipe (who claimed two medals), Eli Iserbyt, Leonie Bentveld, and Francesca Baroni also secured podium finishes in Spain.
The Spanish rider from the Ridley Racing Team had set the European Championships as a major goal. For the first time, this championship was held on the Iberian Peninsula, and Felipe was eager to shine in front of his home crowd. Pontevedra is located in Galicia, while he hails from Alicante, so it wasn’t quite a true home race. Currently, the weather phenomenon ‘DANA’ is causing apocalyptic conditions in his home region. That’s why Felipe sent a message of support to the many victims afterward.
During the race, Felipe remained alert and never allowed himself to be caught off guard. Together with Thibau Nys, Eli Iserbyt, and Lars van der Haar, he created a gap. After a bike change by the Belgian champion, he pulled away at the barriers with Nys Junior. In the final lap, Felipe had no answer to Nys's decisive attack. Satisfied, he finished second. Thus, with Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) also on the podium riding a Ridley, it was a successful day.
The Spanish rider from the Ridley Racing Team had set the European Championships as a major goal. For the first time, this championship was held on the Iberian Peninsula, and Felipe was eager to shine in front of his home crowd. Pontevedra is located in Galicia, while he hails from Alicante, so it wasn’t quite a true home race. Currently, the weather phenomenon ‘DANA’ is causing apocalyptic conditions in his home region. That’s why Felipe sent a message of support to the many victims afterward.
During the race, Felipe remained alert and never allowed himself to be caught off guard. Together with Thibau Nys, Eli Iserbyt, and Lars van der Haar, he created a gap. After a bike change by the Belgian champion, he pulled away at the barriers with Nys Junior. In the final lap, Felipe had no answer to Nys's decisive attack. Satisfied, he finished second. Thus, with Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) also on the podium riding a Ridley, it was a successful day.
An early birthday present for Francesca Baroni
Felipe also won a medal on Saturday during the Mixed Team Relay, where he and Spain finished in third place. The gold medal went to Italy, with Francesca Baroni earning the European champion’s jersey. It was an early birthday present, as she turns 25 this Monday. Francesca rides for Proximus - Cyclis - AlphaMotorhomes CT and is therefore seen racing on a pink X-Night. In the elite women's race on Sunday, she finished 13th.
Bronze for Leonie Bentveld
More medals came in the women’s races. Leonie Bentveld from Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal claimed bronze in the women’s U23 category. The riders treated the large crowd to a thrilling three-way battle between Célia Gery, Marie Schreiber, and the Dutch Bentveld. Just 4 seconds back, she had to settle for the third step on the podium. As a result, Ridley riders return home with five medals. We are extremely proud of this achievement and eagerly look forward to the rest of the cyclocross season.
All photos: Photo News
All photos: Photo News
X-Night RS
A crown jewel for championsThe X-Night RS is the fifth generation of our cyclocross bike on which dozens of titles have already been won. We developed this X-Night RS tailored to the cyclocross rider, with a special cyclocross geometry and numerous aerodynamic improvements. The Ridley Racing Team will use this crown jewel from autumn 2024.
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