Anja Grossmann of Switzerland won the Junior women's title at the European Cyclocross Championships in Pontevedra and paid an emotional and tearful tribute to former teammate Muriel Fuller, who died in a crash at the Road World Championships.

Grossman beat Barbora Bukovska (Czech) and Giorgia Perizotti (Italy) to the line at the end of the 37th minute race, while Trio Plus Mekabaka (Netherlands) cleared the front line late in the race. On the final lap, there was a podium fight, and Grossman pushed in the second half of the race and pulled out a small gap that he had held to the finish line.

Muriel Fuller suffered serious head injuries when she crashed in the Junior Women's Road Race at the Zurich World Championships in late May 9. Local authorities and the UCI have refused to say how quickly Furler was found and how quickly he received treatment, raising questions about rider safety.

Grossman pointed to the sky when he won the European tile and was in tears on the podium.  

Grossman said she rode for Farrer "today and every day" and that the weeks following her death were the hardest of her life.

"I worked really hard for this and it means the world to me to race the race and win the race and the title. Everyone wants it and it's just a dream to come to another person," Grossman said.

"I was a junior in the first year and especially I rode today and every day for my friend Muriel, who died a few weeks ago. It was the hardest week of my life, the last week. I mean I gave everything for her and she was with me.

"Her family is the most beautiful people I know and it was very difficult, but I was able to have a clear mind in this situation when I needed it."

Grossman, who turned 16 last month, continued to thank those who supported her during her cycling career.

"It means the world to me and I want to thank everyone I know – my family, my boyfriend, my team, my sponsors, my friends and everyone around me are there for me, so without them I wouldn't be here and win this title." . And also to cycling in Switzerland - they do the best they can to get me to this level.

"It was an incredible day and it was an incredible feeling to cross the finish line. It's incredible."