Sigulda (pps). Martins Rubenis from Latvia won the last race of the season to Suzuki Challenge Cup. On his home track in Sigulda (Latvia), the Olympic bronze medallist of 2006 won the men’s finals in 48,904 seconds followed by five times World Champion Armin Zöggeler (48,914 seconds) from Italy. Olympic silver medallist Arbert Demtschenko (RUS) finished third.
In overall ranking won two times Olympic Champion Zöggeler with 385 points followed by World Champion David Möller from Germany (265 points) and the fourth of the Olympic Games Tony Benshoof (216) from USA.
The women’s finals won the fourth of European Championships Natalia Yakushenko (UKR). The Overall Champion of the Suzuki Challenge Cup 2005 in 43,207 seconds banned Vice World Champion Anke Wischnewski (43,566 seconds) from Germany to second rank. World Champion Tatjana Hüfner (GER) came on third rank.
Silke Kraushaar-Pielach (GER), Olympic Champion 1998, World Champion 2004, three times European Champion and five times winner of Overall World Cup with 270 points was certain winner of the overall ranking of Suzuki Challenge Cup before the race in Sigulda. Second of overall ranking was Natalia Yakushenko (UKR, 255 points) followed by Veronika Halder from Austria (226 points).
The victory in doubles-finals went to Olympic bronze medallists Gerhard Plankensteiner/ Oswald Haselrieder from Italy (42,957 seconds) followed by their teammates and Vice European Champions of 2004 Christian Oberstolz/Patrick Gruber (ITA, 43,023 seconds). Four times World Champions Patric Leitner/Alexander Resch (GER) finished third.
Titleholders Oberstolz/Gruber with their third rank also defended the Overall title of Suzuki Challenge Cup. With 355 points the Overall World Cup Champions of 2004/05 banned the Olympic Champions of 2002 Patric Leitner/Alexander Resch (GER, 310 points) to second rank. Third of overall ranking were the Vice European Champions of 1996 Gerhard Plankensteiner/ Oswald Haselrieder (ITA, 295).

Quotes:
Martins Rubenis (LAT, Olympic bronze medallist 2006, Vice World Champion 2003, Third at World Championships 2004)
„The victory was a nice finish for the weekend and the season, I cannot deny that. And on the home track it is always something special.”

Natalia Yakushenko (UKR, Overall Champion of Suzuki Challenge Cup 2005, Fourth of European Championships 2006)
„The victory at Challenge Cup was a good season’s finish. It would be nice if every race could be like this.”

Gerhard Plankensteiner (ITA, Olymp
ic bronze medallist 2006, Third at European Championships 2002, Vice European Champions 1996)
„Of course we could motivate for the Challenge Cup. That is always possible when we realize a chance to win.”