Two national titles at the weekend
Emilly Johnston takes the title in Canada,
Mario Bair reclaims the state champion's jersey and
Tamara Wiedmann rides on the podium
Once Canada and back - was the motto for Emilly Johnston, because the national championships and the jersey of the national champion were on the program. On Monday, the journey started by train - car - plane - car, until finally, after more than 20 hours of travel time, the venue was reached.
"I felt like I had been hit by a bus," Emilly Johnston said after arriving. But when the race for the national champion's jersey started on Saturday, Emilly was in top shape and even the pouring rain couldn't stop her from her mission.
In the end Emilly Johnston won after 1:15:38 race time in continuous rain with a lead of 3:30 minutes. After a small victory celebration and a portion of French fries "Canadian-Style" she immediately made her way back to Europe, because in 2 weeks the World Championships will start in Glasgow, Scotland.
Mario Bair and Tamara Wiedmann had a short journey. For the first time the Austrian National Championship was held in Oberndorf in Tyrol. In the women's race Mona Mitterwallner dominated the race and defended her title. Tamara Wiedmann made it to the podium and secured 3rd place.
"My focus is on the World Championships and we have also coordinated the training accordingly. I am satisfied with my form and I am looking forward to the track in Glasgow and the World Championships," Tamara Wiedmann tells us.
In the U23 boys Mario Bair, wanted to bring back the title and accordingly motivated he went into the race.
"On the first climb, 3 riders in front of me hit an extremely high pace and I tried to follow them. I was able to find myself in P2 at the end of the climb and was able to recover well for the most part on the descent and then take the lead right away on the back climb. It was physically an extremely tough course and the race duration of 1:30h (same distance as elite) was very long for an U23 race. I then managed to extend my lead lap by lap and also work my way up to 2nd place, in the elite starting 1min ahead of us. At nightfall, at almost exactly 20 o'clock, I reached the finish line with the U23 title," reports the 2023 national champion about the course of the race.
"Of course I'm super happy and we have a Canadian champion's jersey in the team for the first time. I'm especially happy for Mario because he's riding a terrific season so far. This was the last test for the riders before the World Championships in Glasgow and already a long season. We realize that it was right to concentrate on the World Cups and to race less", says team manager Bernd Reutemann.