Video: Supertrail - Giannena (3rd Open Cup Race - Greece) - Recap

SUPERTRAIL - Giannena (3rd Open Cup Race 2013 - Recap) from Emmanouel Armoutakis on Vimeo.

Written by George Alexiou

I spent too much time trying to think of how to start this review and this because I think that neither whatever you read nor as many photos and videos you see, from the race in Ioannina, they will have nothing to do with what we experienced there.
Yes you jealous freely or get your pals and go as quickly as possible.
The trail is really everything. Doubles, woodwork, step ups, step downs, drops, berms and of course a “burning” rock garden at the end that cuts your hands.
The path is made in between firs. There are moments in awe, catching just the views you see and of course the finish line with firs and huge trees appear to make the concept even dreamier.

Winner of the race was the very fast Dimitris Economou leaving second place the magnificent Vangelis Kavvadas while the pedestal completed the most deticated rider of the weekend Marios Pollalis. Just three tenths separating Aris Chatzigeorgiou from his first podium while five completed the bionic Costas Andriot who like all show the only way to lose a game this year is to fall ... which it did.



In the Junior category we expected a great fight. The opposite thought in the mind of Peter Atsalis who from the first moment showed that no opponent and winning the 6th place overall .. In second place was the permanent defending category winner Nick Vassilakakos not managed to become highly competitive due to an injury that battered him. In the third step the spiffy Nick Tsarouhis while five completed by Phaidon Bouloubasis and James Miliarakis.


In Master Vasilis Tsiantikos showed why he is the “Master” by winning another race in his category, leaving second place the amazing Angelos Kontos. In third place Costas Kaloheretis. Rumor has it that Kostas since Friday descended around five hundred times the path ... : p. The five completed Ernest Sakelarakis that after his injury shows a strong return and the main builder of the trail Sotiris Gontas that despite the stress and organizing he proved once how fast he is.


In the Veteran no one could get the top spot except Paul Zoumperis who ran unopposed.


Why do I refer to race as the most diversive. A look at the results of the qualification will solve the question.




The first and most surprising was Marios Papasimakopoulos who showed these 2 days to fly into the path. Ioannou, Mpournias and Economou were 4 με 5 sec behind him showing that hard to threaten him until the moment a yellow fluorescent glow went ahead listening to the name Kostas Andriotis. 2.36 and more mouths closed a few inches.
Just the four of the final podium are different than that of the primaries, says much.



But back to the path and the organization. Apart from the Sotiris Gontas who we know him as the defending champion in the category Pan-Hellenic master, the other guys who helped to implement the trail and the organization since the first day they “won” with their smiles and any help that we needed.


Many riders (mainly fighter team of Thessaloniki) were able to camp without a problem behind the church next to the finish line, through the authorization permission of that had taken the organizers so they can save enough money in rooms and petrol.


From the event we could not miss the always beautiful girls of red bull, the dj who entertained us with his music and of course the rescuers of Red Cross who once again selflessly offered their services to everyone. (I needed them enough!!!)
In timing with accuracy and integrity was once again the “Iron team”.
The tents filled the termination and could not miss the holy tent and the presence of knowledge Vassilis Mitropoulos, who was our honor and raced normally, since he fixed our “damaged” bikes.

Entries may not have exceeded the 65. We all know that despite the financial difficulties of each of us the key to our long abstinence was another, but I think there is no reason to discuss any more into this event. Let us overcome them difficulties and next time we are all a little more calm and respect the effort and stress of another. Especially when they have no right. And do not tell me. The result says. Good would be the whole thing to finish here, continue together to smile, having a good time and do our bicycle. We stick together!

The race in Ioannina raised sharply the bar for all future events. Our next stop in two weeks fantastic Meteora. Basilis and the whole team is sure to give us a memorable weekend. Prepare ... approaching!

PS) Only postscript is not certain. Despite what beautiful we wrote the most important and unfortunate was the ugliest serious injury of our friend Fotis Skaris. Fotis is still at the Universidad Hospital of Ioannina. Was operated in the abdomen and has escaped from any danger. Will remain in the hospital until the end of the week. An sms ofsympathy would be nice from all of us.

See you in two weeks!

Keep riding Fellas :-)

Source: Downhill.gr