On the first day of competition (30 May), the traditional individual time trial took place. Each participant had to complete one 4 km lap. Promptly at 11:00 a.m., the women set off, 60 seconds apart. University teammates and the assembled spectators cheered loudly, while the coaches nervously watched their stopwatches and the results board as the competitors crossed the finish one after another.
The fastest time was recorded by Aleksandra Podgórska (14 min 21 sec). Rita Malinkiewicz was 19 seconds slower, while Magdalena Sadłecka took third place (14 min 54 sec). Among the men, who started 30 seconds apart, only two competitors finished in under 12 minutes. Piotr Kurczab narrowly defeated Marcin Kawalec by less than a second. Patryk Adamkiewicz
recorded the third-fastest time (12 min 22 sec).After the excitement in Paulinum Park, the participants moved to the Mercure Hotel, where from 5:00 p.m. Daniel Paszek (Diagnostix, Cyclo Trener) and Piotr Kosmala
(Sportovia.com) talked about modern training methods. The full room and the many questions asked of the speakers suggest that the organizers had a good idea in adding this type of event to the championships.
On Sunday, 31 May, with excellent weather (one might say: finally...), it was time for mass-start races. The women had to complete four laps plus a lead-out lap. From practically the beginning of the competition, it was possible to predict which competitors would contend for the medals. In the end, the top three were the same as in the time trial: gold—Aleksandra Podgórska (University of Warsaw), silver—Rita Malinkiewicz (PWSZ Oświęcim), and bronze—Magdalena Sadłecka (University of Warsaw).
The participants in the additional “Jelenia Góra MTB Race” then set off; depending on their age category, they had to complete three or four laps. The men’s main race began at 12:30 p.m., and just a few metres in, we witnessed a crash. The unlucky rider was Maciej Jeziorski, whose chain “snapped” during the fast start. Despite the mechanical failure and the fall, he finished in a high 11th place.
After the lead-out lap, the men entered the first lap just seconds apart. The sight of almost a hundred cyclists speeding through the section with artificial obstacles was impressive! Interestingly, no one fell there—at least on the first lap.
The time-trial results were reflected in Sunday’s race: Kurczab, Kawalec, Kozak, Pluciński, Cąpała, Miazga, Adamkiewicz, Ficek and Sułek were among those at the front. Unfortunately, the latter suffered a fairly dangerous fall that ended with hospitalization (Piotr—we wish you a speedy recovery). Ultimately, Piotr Kurczab (Wrocław University of Technology) became the 2015 Academic Champion of Poland in XCO; silver went to Marcin Kawalec (University of Warsaw), and bronze to Mariusz Kozak (Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice).
These were already the eighth championships organized by the University Club of AZS Wrocław University of Technology ZOD in Jelenia Góra. Years of experience and this small club’s specialization in cross-country races mean that the Academic Mountain Biking Championships of Poland reach a higher organizational standard every year. The competitors’ positive comments, along with the numerous media outlets and sponsors interested in cooperation, confirm this. And where will the AMP championships be held in 2016? We will probably find out after the summer holidays.
Women’s team classification:
- University of Warsaw
- Wrocław University of Technology
- Academy of Physical Education in Katowice
Men’s team classification:
- Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice
- Wrocław University of Technology
- Poznań University of Technology.
Full results at www.amp-mtb.pl.
Grzegorz Miedziński