Germany’s Nina Eim and homeboy David Castro secure victories in Europe Cup, Barcelona
The stunning city of Barcelona played host to one of the final ETU Cups of the year at the weekend as David Castro (ESP) powered to victory on home soil in the men’s race with Nina Eim (GER) taking the tape for the women.
In the women’s race it was a breakaway after a fast swim that would dictate how the race played out and a pancake flat route for the bike ensured a chance of them staying away from the chase pack. A 40 second gap soon emerged and the front group held this to the chasers right through T2. Onto the run and the top 4 from the group fought hard on the short and fast 5km run. In the end it came down to a cloase finish between Nina Eim who was able to make a final break to get herself clear of Olivia Mathias (GBR) and Lena Meibner (GER) to take the win. Meibner would cross in second with Mathias taking the final podium spot.
A stacked men’s race followed and went down a similar path to the women’s, with a breakaway of 10 forming at the front after a fast swim in the wavy mediterranean sea. The front group gained a 25 second gap over the rest of the field behind them and held this until T2. Immediately Spain’s David Castro took flight running way under 3 minute km’s to open up a gap to the main run group behind. Chasing hard was Connor Bentley (GBR) and Jamie Riddle (RSA) but they were no match for the Spaniard. Castro was able to waltz down the finish line in Barcelona celebrating what was evidently a well earned and hard fought win after what has been a tough season for him. In a sprint finish behind it was Bentley who ran through for second with Riddle punching the air in elation of his third place finish.
After the race Castro gave an emotional interview “Right now I don’t know whether to cry or what to do. This has been the best victory of my sports career. I am very happy not only for these good results that I have achieved, but for having been able to recover from the bad moments and always get ahead. To people who are having a hard time and think if it is worth continuing, I tell them to go ahead, do not give up. You have to always keep fighting and enjoying yourself”.
Full Results HERE
