Sunday saw the climax of a weekend of national championship road racing, with titles being decided in several categories. In the men’s elite race, Bob Jungels broke away from his closest pursuer with 40 kilometres of the 156.8 km course remaining and ended up winning by a handsome margin, 13’52” ahead of Alex Kirsch, who pipped Tom Thill to second place.
It was Jungels’ fourth consecutive title--and Kirsch’s third consecutive second place. He also won the championship in 2013 and now ties with Fränk Schleck on 5 titles--only Edy Schütz and the great Charly Gaul, with 6 titles each, and the legendary Nicolas Frantz (who won 12 consecutive titles between 1923 and 1934) have won more.
Christine Majerus won the women’s race over an 89.6km course. Until the final circuit Majerus had been joined by Elise Maes and Anne-Sophie Harsch in a three-rider breakaway. But with just over 20 kilometres remaining Majerus broke clear of the two challengers to claim the title, a couple of minutes ahead of Maes, with Harsch finishing third and thus winning the best new rider title, with third place in the elite championship going to Nathalie Lamborelle. It was Majerus’s 9th consecutive title and she is now closing in on the 15 won by one of Luxembourg’s greatest ever sports personalities, Elsy Jacobs.
For a full list of winners, visit the Luxembourg Cycling Federation website.