Katarzyna Pawlowska, the two-time world champion in scratch, will never forget this Thursday evening. The 27-year old Polish rider crashed shortly before the finish line in the Team Pursuit earlier in the evening, and therefore apparently cost her squad what seemed to be an assured bronze medal. Just three hours later, she was jubilant as the winner of the women’s Points Race at the European Championships, ahead of the French racer Elize Delzenne, and the German current World Champion Stephanie Pohl.

Powered by anger, Pawlowska attacked shortly after the start, and because no one responded, she secured the first win of the round. After that, she was able to control the race and confidently responded when Pohl attacked. After her second round win, the race was essentially decided.

The men’s Scratch race followed a similar scenario. The Spaniard Sebastian Mora also attacked and won the first round solo, and then had the strength to hold on and respond as his opponents countered. Under the watchful eyes of Swiss Federal Councillor Ueli Mauerer, Tristan Marguet assured the Swiss of their second silver medal of the evening. The rider from the Valais and a six-day specialist, won the sprint for second place after planning his tactics to perfection ahead of the Pole Adrian Teklinski.