Merijn Scheperkamp was crowned European sprint champion in Hamar today. In the final 1,000 meters, the skater from Hilversum came second behind Hein Otterspeer. That turned out to be enough for the European Championship title on his debut.
The Hilversummer started the day second in the general classification, after finishing second in the first 500 and 1,000 meters. In the second 500 meters he was first ahead of the Estonian Marten Liv (35.23) and Kai Verbij (35.28).
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On the last kilometer he was therefore 0.48 seconds ahead of Liv and 0.73 on Kai Verbij. Scheperkamp rode against Liv in a head-to-head duel and beat him. Otterspeer won the final 1,000 meters, but Scheperkamp turned out to be too strong.
Today the EC all-round started for Robin Groot. The skater from Alkmaar replaces Joy Beune. Groot was third in the 500 meters and fourth in the 3,000 meters. As a result, she is fourth in the general classification after the first day in Hamar.