Brit blasts past Irishman in closing strides in Turin as Maria Forero of Spain overhauls front-running Innes Fitzgerald in the under-20 women’s race
The opening race of the 2022 European Cross Country Championships in La Mandria Park on the outskirts of Turin on Sunday (Dec 11) could hardly have featured a more exciting finish.
After duelling it out for much of the latter stages of the under-20 men’s race, Nick Griggs of Ireland had pulled away from Will Barnicoat of Britain and looked set for gold.
But with just a few metres to go he stumbled and lost his momentum. Pouncing on the opportunity, Barnicoat blasted past to win the title and, in doing so, led Britain to team victory over Ireland too.
Amid the drama, the defending champion Axel Vang Christensen of Denmark, who coincidentally studies at the University of Birmingham with Barnicoat, struggled mid-race and dropped out.
Last year’s silver medallist Abdullahi Dahir Rabi from Norway also suffered and dropped out on the viciously undulating course. In addition, Joel Ibler Lillesø, the Danish athlete who beat Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s European indoor under-20 3000m record recently, faded to 13th.
U20 men’s start (Mark Shearman)
“I saw him (Griggs) tiring so I thought ‘now’s my chance to take the title’ and I gave it everything I had,” an emotional Barnicoat told AW. “I wanted it so badly. I’ve been thinking about it so much in the back of my head. I ran through every scenario possible.”
To make ends meet as a student athlete, Barnicoat has been working part-time at Gourmet Burger Kitchen. “I’m not a professional. I’m a glorified pot washer but days like make it all worthwhile.”
Griggs threw up after the race after having given it his all and the Irishman was magnanimous in defeat, saying: “I’m not sure if my stumble at the end was the ground or tiredness. But no excuses. Will is an unbelievable athlete and a lovely guy. I lost momentum at the end and am disappointed but I gave it everything.”
Barnicoat ran 17:40 ahead of Griggs’ 17:41 with Griggs’ Irish team-mate Dean Casey taking bronze with 17:46 as Barnicoat’s GB team-mates Sam Mills, Luke Birdseye and Ed Bird were fourth, fifth and ninth.
Forero takes junior women’s title
Maria Forero of Spain stormed to victory in the under-20 women’s race in 13:04 ahead of Ingeborg Østgard of Norway and Ilona Mononen of Finland.
British hope Innes Fitzgerald finished outside the medals in fourth but drew plaudits…
CLICK HERE to Read the Full Original Article at AW…