Tim Van Hemel (BEL) and Arina Shulgina (RUS) were crowned European U23 Sprint Duathlon Championships in Horst after a thrilling day of racing.

The Sprint Distance competition followed the Long Distance in the morning and covered a 5km run/ 20km bike/ 2.5km run course.

Belgium dominated the Men's U23 category as they filled the first five positions.

Van Hemel finished in 56:35 and led home compatriots Kenneth Vandendriessche and Pieter Heemeryck onto the podium.

Russia's Arina Shulgina took her first title in the Women's U23 category in a time of 1:07:18.

Sofie Hooghe (BEL) once again showed Belgian promise at this level with another podium spot and Sharon Zuijdervliet (NED) finished third.

In the Junior Sprint races, Richard Horton (GBR) and Sveva Fascetti (ITA) became new European Sprint Distance Champions.

Horton finished ahead of Jorik van Egdom (NED) and the much fancied Matthias Steinwandter (ITA), although the Italian youngster maintained his remarkable podium record - this was his 8th successive European podium.

Fascetti held off the challenge from Georgina Schwiening (GBR) and Anke de Boer (NED) who completed the Junior Women's podium.

In the Paratriathlon Sprint, Joaquin Carrasco became European Duathlon Champion in the TRI-4 classification, finishing in a time of 1:14:46.

And in a Spanish duel in TRI-5, Mikel Garmendia finished ahead of compatriot Francisco Jesus San Martin Nemesio.

New Sprint Distance Duathlon European Champions were also crowned across the Age Group categories.

In the 30-34 AG category, Kris Steyaert (BEL) and Anna Jordens (ESP) were victorious.

Great Britain dominated the 35-39 category, with Phil Holland and Helen Russell winning.

In the 40-44 AG category, Remco Grasman (NED) and Antje Strothmann (GER) become European Sprint Distance Champions.

John Aalbers (NED) and Anke Lakies (GER) were the winners in the 45-49 category and Ralf Laermann (GER) and Vera McCool (IRL) were Champions in the 50-54 category.

A fantastic achievement for two German athletes, Theo Herberger and Gabriele Pelz, who become European Champions in the 75-79 Age Group category.

Willem Dierckx (BEL - 25-29), Gerhard Schluter (GER - 55-59), Dave Littlemore (GBR - 60-64), Edward Snelling (GBR - 65-69), Dick Benschop (NED - 70-74) and Brian Forster (GBR - 80-84) were also crowned Age Group Sprint Duathlon European Champions.