European Champion Wouter Hebbrecht on MPC Black Track
Zandvoorde, Belgium has been the site of many magic skating moments – hosting the Track World Championships in 1991 and again in 2002. On Thursday 30 July, 2009 the fast flat-banked asphalt track chalked up a few more, as no fewer than 5 men went below the 300m TT World Record (set by Pedro Causil at 24.531s on 04/09/08, Gijón ES). Kevin Gauclin, Ronald Mulder, Andrea Peruzzo, Wouter Hebbrecht & Nicholas Pelloquin all bettered the time – with Pelloquin coming out fastest in the daytime qualifying session with a new WR of 24.221 sec.
Hebbrecht with Gold after an assault on the WR
In the womens qualifying session, Erika Zanetti came close to the existing 300m WR (set by Brittany Bowe at 26.611s on 04/09/08, Gijón ES), only to be outdone by teammate Nicoletta Falcone in the final later that day – posting a new WR of 26.572 sec.
It was the experience of Wouter Hebbrecht (on MPC Black Track) that won out under finals pressure in the mens, with Hebbrecht taking the European 300m title in a time of 24.271 sec – despite the top 4 men all going below the former WR again in the final, Hebbrecht was the only one to post a faster time in the final than the heat.
Swings - Gold in the 1k
In another MPC moment on Friday night, another Belgian local Bart Swings brought the crowd to its feet by claiming the 1000m sprint crown in his first year as a senior (running MPC Black Track with Road War) – after great leadout work by teammate Kwinten Tas to overcome experienced rivals such as Alexis Contin.
*Images courtesy http://www.euro-inline2009.be/
