In the opening Junior European Cup race of 2012 it was the Portugese and British Federations who had the most to celebrate after dominant performances from their athletes.

Both nations shared five podium positions between them across the Men and Women's races with many more finishing in the top end places.

JUNIOR MEN

Matthias Steinwandter (ITA) made the perfect start to 2012 with victory in the Junior Cup. The 2011 No.2 Ranked Junior European athlete laid down a marker for this year in a hard fought race.

There was an impressive showing by the young British athletes, with four finishers  in the top eight places. The highlight was Grant Sheldon's second place, his first European podium. 

Porutgal's Francisco Machado delighted the home crowd with third place on his competitive European debut.

JUNIOR WOMEN

There was further delight for the Portugese and British Juniors in the women's race. 

Melanie Santos and Luisa Condeco led a Portugese one-two with Condeco just piping Britain's Sky Draper to second place.

Draper did enough to secure her first European podium finish with third place and again, there were four Brits in the top seven places.