Fullana ready for European championships

After a week off following three consecutive World Cup events, many top European racers will be heading to St. Wendel, Germany, this weekend for the cross country European Championship. Marga Fullana (Massi), who finished third at the most recent round of the World Cup in Madrid, Spain, will fight for the first international title of the season.

After a team relay on Friday, Fullana will race the cross country on Sunday. Although the European title is not one of Fullana's primary objectives for the season, she will still be aiming for the podium. The European Championships comes just one month before the World Championships in Val di Sole, so many top athletes are not preparing specifically for the continental championships, but are focusing more on the Worlds.

Last year, Fullana had to miss the European championships due to a fracture of the head of the radius bone; however, she won the title in 2006 in Chies d' Alpago, Italy.

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Considering the World Cup results thus far, other favorites for the women's race are Russian Irina Kalentieva (Ergon / Topeak), Norway's Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa (Multivan Merida) and Sabine Spitz (Team Central Ghost), although the latter played down her chances. "I am highly motivated, however, I am not yet in top form. I have not succeeded in fully recovering and compensating for a viral infection," said Spitz.

Seven races for elite, U23 and junior categories will held on the 7.9km course, with 270m elevation change, during three days.