2017-09-03 XTERRA Denmark – XTERRA European Championship

Ruben Ruzafa and Helena Karaskova-Erbenova captured the 2017 XTERRA European Tour elite titles.  It’s the third in four years for Ruzafa and the fourth in six years for Erbenova.

New this year, every race counted in the points tally on the European Tour. Ruzafa won six of the eight races he did and collected 640 points.  Karaskova-Erbenova raced 11 events this year, won XTERRA Greece, Spain, Belgium, and Italy, and finished with 789 points – the most of any racer on the Tour this year.

“Today in Mons Klint we had not only the European Championship, but also the final race of our 2017 Euro Tour,” said XTERRA European Tour director Nicolas Lebrun.  “It was a long journey of 14 races starting in Malta early April and finishing here in Denmark.  Helena won this Euro Tour, but by only two points!”

By finishing 5th Karaskova-Erbenova won the title.  Had she finished 6th, Poor would have won it.

“Brigitta won again, her third in a row.  She couldn’t be any stronger, she just needed an extra race to win. Carina, after a great season in the Asia Pacific Tour, finished 3rd in Europe. Nicole Walters made a big move with her 2nd place finish today, moving up two spots from 6th to 4th.  Maud Golsteyn, who didn’t race the finale, lost one place and ends up 5th. Louise Fox gained one place to move into seventh and Morgane Riou dropped from 5th to 8th as she focuses on the Pan Am Tour.  Cecilia Jessen lost one place to 9th by not being at the start, and in a good move made by Angela Niklaus she went from 15th to 10th,” said Lebrun.

In the men’s chase Ruzafa had the tour title wrapped up before the race started, but Osborne made a big jump into the No. 2 spot.

“Sam went from fourth to second with his runner-up showing today,” said Lebrun.  “He didn’t start the season until the end of June, so this is really impressive. François Carloni lost one spot today, but finishing 15th he did get the last points he needed to save his place on the podium. Xavier Dafflon also lost one place, and missed the podium this year, but for his first season as a pro it’s an amazing result. Rui Dolores kept his 5th place standing. He was consistent all season and deserves this top five. Maxim Chane, just 21-years-old, improved a lot this season and showed big potential. He stays 6th. Yeray Luxem gained one place and ends up 7th in the tour, and Roger Serrano moved up two places today in the ranking, from 10th to 8th. Arthur Serrieres lost two places with his results during this final to end up in 9th, and Bradley Weiss made the biggest move of the day coming from 14th to 10th with the win.”

Elite Men Points Standings:

Elite Women Points Standings:

All-time XTERRA European Tour Elite Champions
Year – Men’s Champion (NAT) / Women’s Champion (NAT)
2017 – Ruben Ruzafa (ESP) / Helena Erbenova (CZE)
2016 – Ruben Ruzafa (ESP) / Brigitta Poor (HUN)
2015 – Roger Serrano (ESP) / Helena Erbenova (CZE)
2014 – Ruben Ruzafa (ESP) / Kathrin Mueller (GER)
2013 – Hector Guerra (ESP) / Helena Erbenova (CZE)
2012 – Nicolas Lebrun (FRA) / Helena Erbenova (CZE)
2011 – Olivier Marceau (SUI) / Marion Lorblanchet (FRA)
2010 – Franky Batelier (FRA) / Marion Lorblanchet (FRA)
2009 – Franky Batelier (FRA) / Renata Bucher (SUI)
2008 – Nicolas Lebrun (FRA) / Renata Bucher (SUI)
2007 – Nicolas Lebrun (FRA) / Eszter Erdelyi (HUN)
2006 – Nicolas Lebrun (FRA) / Renata Bucher (SUI)
2005 -Olivier Marceau (SUI) / Renata Bucher (SUI)
2004 – Olivier Marceau (SUI) / Jamie Whitmore (USA)
2003 – Royce Kortekaas (NED) / Jamie Whitmore (USA)

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