SUCCESS AT GERMAN AND SWISS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Last weekend, the national season highlight of the Cyclocross bike team Heizomat powered by Kloster Kitchen took place in Radevormwald (NRW) - the German Cyclocross Championships. In challenging conditions, characterized by snow and ice on the course and sub-zero temperatures, the riders performed very well. In the men's U23 category, Hannes Degenkolb confidently defended his German championship title, which he secured with an impressive start-finish victory. Degenkolb showed a flawless performance, leaving the competition far behind him and crossing the finish line triumphantly. His team-mate Fabian Eder completed the success story and secured second place in this highly competitive category.
In the women's elite category, German champion Judith Krahl got off to a promising start with the best start and had already built up a lead after just a few meters, which had grown to over 20 seconds after the first lap. Despite a strong performance, Krahl was unable to defend her championship title and was overtaken by former German champion Elisabeth Brandau on the third lap, ultimately finishing in second place.
Lukas Herrmann surprisingly fought his way to third place in the men's elite race. Despite a puncture on the first lap, he put in a spirited recovery and was in second place for a long time. In a dramatic finish, he had to admit defeat to Alex Bregenzer (RV Viktoria Wombach) in the final meters. Herrmann, who has had a season marked by illness, was able to deliver a strong performance despite adverse circumstances. First place went to multiple German champion Marcel Meisen (Stevens Racing Team).
Another German championship title went to the 16-year-old talent Benedikt Benz in the U19 class. In a thrilling race, he came out on top ahead of Max Oertzen (Herrmann Radteam) and Pepe Albrecht (RSV 54 Venusberg). The leading trio had already formed on the first lap, but Albrecht lost touch on the second lap. In a thrilling duel for the championship title, Benz accelerated in the final lap and secured the title with an eight-second lead.
The Heizomat cycling team powered by Kloster Kitchen also delivered at the Swiss Championships, which took place in Switzerland at the same time. Timon Rüegg secured his third championship title in the elite category. Lars Sommer and Finn Treudler took second and third place in the U23 race. After a technical glitch in which Lars Sommer had to carry his bike half a lap to the depot, he started an impressive race to catch up and came from tenth place to take second place. Team manager Stefan Herrmann is more than satisfied with the weekend's results.
"Two German championship titles, a Swiss championship title and all riders on the podium. What more could you want," says a delighted Herrmann.
The team has been preparing intensively for the highlight of the season by training in the Benelux countries, the Mecca of cyclocross, over the past few weeks. Before Christmas, the team moved into a specially rented team house in Belgium, from where it completed the challenging competitions in the region, including renowned cyclocross events and UCI races. This intensive preparation served as an ideal basis for the German Championships.
CONTACT:
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Lydia Bänsch |
Heizomat Website |
