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Offenburg: Kalentieva and Kuschat finish in the top ten
Irina Kalentieva and Wolfram Kurschat get top ten places at the World Cup in Offenburg. Mennen finished 44th, Lakata fought his way up to 63.
The World Cup in Offenburg was once again a race not to be underestimated. Wet and poor conditions during the training days prior to the race, contrasted with all day sunshine and heatstroke risk for the race itself. On race day, more than 20,000 spectators lined the course, pushing every rider to their limit. “It is really impressive. The organisers put together such a great event. I want to thank the spectators. You really feel them willing you on”, Kurschat told us, after the race.
Kurschat was once again showed what his strength is. After the start he found himself in 26th place in a field of 277. The 2nd lap saw his offensive begin. By the third lap he was in 10th position and his push forward still wasn’t over. He moved up to 8th place, and split times around the course put his lap times faster than the riders leading the race. On the seventh and final lap, on the last climb, he lost a place finishing 9th – the highest placed German at their home event.
Kalentieva made no secret of her love for the event. “A World Cup is always special. It means more than most races. Offenburg takes this and enhances it. It is a priority of mine to ride well here.” It was a priority that she took seriously, finishing in 8th overall – not a podium like in the previous two years, but still a sign of strength.
The lead up to the event had left Robert Mennen also unsure of his chances. The previous year he had finished in 80th position after a hard race. This year he had a better start position, had the experience and pulled himself up to 44th. It is worth remembering that this is in a field of 277 riders.
For Alban Lakata the Offenburg race was preparation for the Trans-Germany, which starts in two weeks. That isn’t to say that he didn’t give it his all – a World Cup is a World Cup after all. After the race, Lakata didn’t know what to make of his 63 position. “It was neither one thing, nor the other. I am not happy with the result, but the race didn’t go too badly either.”
