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Irina rides her way to victory!
Team Topeak Ergon celebrates another successful weekend!
Normally when riders think of the early season races at Muesingen, Germany, thoughts turn to rain, mud and the cold. It looked as if this weekend was no different. It rained on the Saturday relentlessly, softening the ground and making the possibility of a muddy first race of the German Bundesliga series very real. The Gods smiled however, and throughout the night it remained dry. The course was almost completely dry by the time the Women’s race began.
The sun and a victory shine on Irina!
Everyone likes the sun. Even if you are a mud specialist, a bit of sunshine is good. Irina Kalentieva, who enjoys the challenge of riding in the wet, got on with the job in the sunshine, winning the start and taking first position. All went well until a crash towards the end of the first lap allowed Austrian Elisabeth Osl (Central Ghost Pro Team) to pass. It was then a chase until the third lap when the Russian National Champion was able to close the gap and hold on to Osl for the following three laps. The deciding moment of the race came in the final climb; with Irina attacking and managing to get a few meters lead on her opponent. It won the race for her, and with a winning time of 1hr33min33 the Team Topeak Ergon rider crossed the line “Lisi [Elisabeth] was riding very well today. It was hard work against her. I have never won here previously so I am really pleased.”
Robert finishes a very respectable 8th place
The team’s young hope is Robert Mennen, 24. He started on the third row and worked hard to keep contact with the lead group. Moving forward place by place, he worked together with Rudi van Hoots (Multivan Merida) to hold on to the few riders battling for the lead. On the straights, they could see Hermida (Multivan Merida) and Absalon (Orbea) but the gap was not something they could close. When Spesny (Ceska Sporitelna MTB Team) made a jump from behind Mennen went with him, until he couldn’t hold on and was outclassed in the technical section. He rode alone to take a very respectable 8th place. “The field today, the course and my performance – all of them were really top class. I am very happy and can’t wait for the World Cup this coming weekend in Offenburg”
Benny looks to the next challenge.
Benny Brochhagen was disappointed with his performance on the day, finishing 62nd, following a mishap that saw him having a flat rear tire. The season is long though, and the trick is to look forward.
Wolfram Kurschat sat this one out. The focus is on the World Cups in Offenburg and Houffalize.
