European Games 2015: Swiss mountain biker makes history with first gold

The world champion won the first gold to be awarded at the inaugural Games as she took the cross country race in fine style from compatriot Kathrin Stirnemann, with Maja Wloszczowska of Poland taking bronze in the grueling seven-lap race in Baku.

'It is an amazing event here at the first European Games and to win the first gold medal feels amazing,' Neff told the official Games website.



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In the men's mountain bike race, Nino Schurter then spearheaded a Swiss sweep of the medals.

Swiss triple gold

The pre-race favorite finished in a time of one hour 41 minutes and four seconds to come home 13 seconds clear of Fluckiger.

To cap a dream start for the Swiss, its 2012 Olympic champion Nicola Spirig took gold in the women's triathlon event at Bilgah Beach just outside the Azerbaijan capital.

Spirig, returning to top form, also secured a qualifying place for the 2016 Olympics in Rio where she hopes to defend her title.

Read: Meet the female Muslim wrestlers hoping to win gold

Rachel Klamer of the Netherlands was left trailing by over a minute in the silver medal position.

Sweden's Lisa Norden, outsprinted by Spirig for the gold in a dramatic finish to the women's triathlon in London, took the bronze.

'To have won a qualifying spot for the Olympics in Rio makes this a perfect day for me,' said Spirig.

Hosts triumph

Host Azerbaijan also won its first gold medal when Firdovsi Farzaliyev defeated Italy's Luca Maresca in the men's karate in the Kumite -60kg category.

The former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan is staging the first edition of the Olympic-style multi-sport festival, which continues until June 28.

Pop icon Lady Gaga highlighted the opening ceremony Friday night where teams from the 50 nations and over 6,000 athletes were represented.

Hostile reception

The lavish ceremony also saw a small Armenian team receive a hostile reception from the crowd in the Olympic Stadium.

The two Caucasus countries were involved in a bloody war from 1988 until a ceasefire in 1994 and relations have been uneasy in the interim.

The ill-feeling permeated through the opening day of medal competition with Armenia's Greco-Roman wrestler Roman Amoyan leaving the Baku arena with spectators whistling and giving him the thumbs down.

Armoyan had lost his 59 kg bronze medal bout to home fighter Elman Mukhtarov, who was given a rousing reception for his efforts.

Read: F1 to race through Baku

Hosts triumph The world champion won the first gold to be awarded at the inaugural Games as she took the cross country race in fine style from compatriot Kathrin Stirnemann, with Maja Wloszczowska of Poland taking bronze in the grueling seven-lap race in Baku. The ill-feeling permeated through the opening day of medal competition with Armenia's Greco-Roman wrestler Roman Amoyan leaving the Baku arena with spectators whistling and giving him the thumbs down. 'To have won a qualifying spot for the Olympics in Rio makes this a perfect day for me,' said Spirig. Read: F1 to race through Baku Hostile reception Spirig, returning to top form, also secured a qualifying place for the 2016 Olympics in Rio where she hopes to defend her title. Hosts triumph Sweden's Lisa Norden, outsprinted by Spirig for the gold in a dramatic finish to the women's triathlon in London, took the bronze. The former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan is staging the first edition of the Olympic-style multi-sport festival, which continues until June 28. The former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan is staging the first edition of the Olympic-style multi-sport festival, which continues until June 28. 'To have won a qualifying spot for the Olympics in Rio makes this a perfect day for me,' said Spirig. Read: Meet the female Muslim wrestlers hoping to win gold 'It is an amazing event here at the first European Games and to win the first gold medal feels amazing,' Neff told the official Games website. The world champion won the first gold to be awarded at the inaugural Games as she took the cross country race in fine style from compatriot Kathrin Stirnemann, with Maja Wloszczowska of Poland taking bronze in the grueling seven-lap race in Baku. Spirig, returning to top form, also secured a qualifying place for the 2016 Olympics in Rio where she hopes to defend her title. Spirig, returning to top form, also secured a qualifying place for the 2016 Olympics in Rio where she hopes to defend her title. Armoyan had lost his 59 kg bronze medal bout to home fighter Elman Mukhtarov, who was given a rousing reception for his efforts. 'To have won a qualifying spot for the Olympics in Rio makes this a perfect day for me,' said Spirig. Sweden's Lisa Norden, outsprinted by Spirig for the gold in a dramatic finish to the women's triathlon in London, took the bronze. The lavish ceremony also saw a small Armenian team receive a hostile reception from the crowd in the Olympic Stadium. Hostile reception Swiss triple gold

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