Calendar of the Europe Cup 2003

The european Union of cycling ( EUC) communicated the calendar of the Europe Cup XC on 2003. This year, the test still takes some development because it will quarrel on six stages against five last year and four during its first edition in 2001. As in 2002, the opening will take place to Thuin in Belgium while finale will take place on August 10th in France in a place which is not still known. Last season, the title had returned to the men to the Belgian Roel Paulissen ( Lanabau-RW) and to the German Ivonne Kraft (MBC Bochum) to the feminine.

Program of the competitions:

• in May 4th: 1st sleeve to Thuin ( Belgium)
• in May 18th: 2nd sleeve with Ball Wildbad ( Germany)
• in June 9th: 3rd manhce to Hasliberg ( Switzerland(Swiss))
• in June 22nd: 4th sleeve in Netherlands (place to be determined)
• in July 27th: 5th sleeve in Male-valley di Sole (Italy)
• in August 10th: 6th sleeve in France (place to be determined)   

Laurence Leboucher
Takes away the 1st stage
To Kluisbergen in Belgium
 

Before organizing the championships of Europe of MOUNTAIN BIKE in 2005, the city of Kluisbergen welcomed this weekend the européeenne elite of the MOUNTAIN BIKE on the occasion of the first stage of the Europe Cup. This year, the test takes place in five stages: the opening in Belgium, the second stage in Germany (May 17th ), the third in Switzerland(Swiss) (in June 9th), the fourth in Netherlands (in June 22nd) and finale in Italy (in July 27th). No test in France is thus registered on the calendar this season.

Laurence Leboucher (Team MTB 72) perfectly negotiated her running to take it in the final in front of the Italian Héléna Giacomuzi and the Belgian Hilde Van Deun. Just behind, we found a trio of three french pilots with Severine Hansen (Scott-Portes of the Sun), Hélène Marcouyre ( Giant) and Viviane Baud (Scott-Portes of the Sun). " It is a victory at the last minute(with a snatch) because I win with only 30 small seconds in front of the Italian Giacomuzi. I take advantage of a technical error in the last tour to take away this first stage. It is a beautiful operation because she allows to gather in points UCI, important for the selection of the Olympic Games. I really appreciated this test which took place in forest with a magnificent course on a dry ground... I liked because it was at the same moment playful and physical " commented Laurence Leboucher in the arrival.

The second stage to Bald Wilbad

The Norwegian Gunn-Rita Dahle ( Merida International) easily took it in front of the German Sabine Spitz ( Merida International) and Irina Kalentieva ( Merida International). Laurence Leboucher (Team MTB 72), winner of the first stage in Belgium, was absent in Germany. The champion of France preferred to align himself with a regional Cup in the Mayenne. The third se will take place on June 9th in Switzerland.
 

The third stage at Hasliberg

Laurence passes the third stage

The Frenchwoman Laurence Leboucher (Team MTB 72) took it in front of the Italian Elena Giacomuzzi (Staff Bike on 2000) and the German Irina Kalentieva ( Merida International). " I was in shape and I knew well the circuit. We were 30 km to cross with some technical difficulties and magnificent bumps. I win with 30 seconds beforehand on the Italian Giacomuzzi and 2 minutes 30 on the Russian Kalentieva. Next week, I shall participate in a running on road with the men to keep the shape and I shall take the direction of the Holland in 2 weeks to participate in the 4th sleeve of the Europe Cup " explained Sarthoise to the arrival.

The fourth stage at Hasliberg

Laurence wins and leads

The 4th stage of Europe Cup of cross-country took place this weekend to Groesbeek in Netherlands. Laurence Leboucher (Team MTB 72) took it in front of the Dutchwoman Saskia Elemans and the Belge van Deun. " With this victory, I am leader of the general classification. I have to remain watchful for the last stage which will take place this summer in Italy. Today, the running was well. It was a rolling, dry and sandy circuit what what allowed me to win with 1 ' 30 " in front of the Dutch " Dieleman ' " and the Belgian " Van Deun Hilde ". I leave this week for Canada to participate in the 3rd stage of the World cup in St Anne " indicated the Frenchwoman after her third victory in section of Europe this season.