Advertised across Europe. MTB track made a great impression

The organisation of the Kraków-Malopolska 2023 European Games usually relied on existing facilities. But there were exceptions. In Krynica-Zdrój, a brand new track was built for mountain biking, which is now another asset of this beautiful Polish resort.

The MTB track was built in express mode, and its varied and challenging design made quite an impression on all participants in the competition.
A strong contingent came to Krynica-Zdrój, especially in the women’s category. The competition was won by Dutchwoman Puck Pieterse.

“I quickly found my feet on this track. You can see that a lot of heart has gone into creating it, and for me it really is a fantastic day,” she said at the finish line.

Among the men, the winner was Romanian Vlad Dascalu. The highest ranked Pole (Krzysztof Łukasik) arrived at the finish line seventeenth. He could be satisfied with his performance, all the more so because at one point he attacked the top ten quite intensively.

“It was great that we managed to prepare the track, especially as the weather did not make the task any easier. All the riders were happy with what they saw here. It is safe to say that the track is very nice,” he said after the race. “It’s a great track to race on!” he was joined by silver medallist Lars Forster from Switzerland.

The event was also an interesting event for fans. Around 3,000 fans turned up at the track on the day of the competition. They were lucky in terms of the weather. Two heavy downpours passed over Krynica-Zdroj in the days leading up to the competition, but on this most important day everything was fine. Fans were able to enjoy sunny weather without it being too hot. Perfect conditions for admiring the riders’ displays.

Watching the competition was made even more enjoyable by an extraordinary musical setting. It was a sports show to the rhythm of heavy rock. Fans of mountain biking were delighted.

For the riders, the most important thing was that a new circuit was created, adding variety to the European offer. From now on, Poland will also have a facility on which to hold, for example, the European Championships. The first preparations for the next events are already underway.

“The broadcast of the MTB competition, which was seen all over Europe via Eurosport, was a great advertisement for Krynica-Zdrój,” says the town’s mayor, Piotr Ryba.

“We are about to have the first meetings regarding the further use of the track. I have had signals from the federation that they would like to organise the Polish championships here next year. The track is already regarded as one of the best in Europe,” he adds.