Lifestyle: Every year in autumn the world champions are crowned. This is the case with the professionals and the journalists don't stop at it either. This year, the World Press Cycling Championships (WPCC) were held in Bad Radkersburg, Austria.
The participants in the sprint, time trial and road race categories their winners. Last year, we were there ourselves and, as the most successful editorial team, we were justifiably lucky. This time other editorial offices held the flags up. Joscha Weber (Strassacker), who celebrated victory in the men's main class, delivers an impressive race report.
"Again and again the anxious glance goes back over the shoulder. Come closer? Are you still getting us? Or can we do it? Let's take a chance, I think. The gaze goes forward again. Another five kilometers. My Austrian flight companion twitches his right elbow, I should take the lead. So make it small, press on it and into the wind, which unfortunately comes from the front. I give everything that's still there after 80 kilometers of racing, but the speedometer only shows 44 kilometers an hour. Phew, hopefully that's enough, I think to myself as the rain pelts my face. Belgian spring weather in Austrian late summer. A beautiful day to become world champion.
# Before the start, Karel Verdonschot, who had a fatal accident at the WPCC race in St.Anton last year, was commemorated.
The closer we get to Bad Radkersburg, the more specific this goal becomes. The umpteenth look back tells me: the lead has grown – and should be enough. Even if my Austrian companion makes me understand: he can no longer take it with him. Ok, now mobilize all your strength and pull through. Up ahead I see the penultimate roundabout. The hunt is about to end, fortunately, because my legs are starting to hurt. Two curves further on we are on the home straight, one last sprint, my fist goes up, done. World Champion.
Well, the World Press Cycling Championship is certainly not comparable to the cycling world championships for professionals: only around 60 starters instead of 200, 85 kilometers of racing distance instead of 250. But in contrast to the real world championships, cycling is only for the participants of the journalists' world championships a hobby. Nevertheless, the level is surprisingly high in some cases. Already on lap one, four drivers set themselves apart from the field at 53 km/h. Behind them there are gaps, the man in front doesn't want to follow, I start - but too late. I'm chasing after the top quartet alone, but just can't get any closer. Between the leading group and the field, at some point I have to realize that it's pointless. There are still almost 80 kilometers to drive, a suicide mission alone. I let the field catch me. Also because I'm not sure if I have enough strength after just surviving a cold.
When it is clear that the top quartet has rushed, a nerve-wracking game begins in the main draw. Attacks go, everything comes together again, then slow pace, nobody wants to do leadership work. In particular, the numerically strongest faction in the field, the Italians, prefer to only drive in the slipstream of the others. A racing situation that stinks to me. I attacked from the field about a dozen times, each time a temporary alliance of Italians, Dutch and Austrians caught up with me. Only on the last hill in the village of Klöch can I pull away decisively. Launched by Werner Müller-Schell (Germany), I step on the gas in the 600 meter climb and pass the crest with a slight lead. Thomas Kerschbaum (Austria) catches up with me on the descent, with whom I have a lead of 36 seconds over the last ten kilometers.
Since there are no drivers from the main class in the top quartet, fifth place overall is enough for me to win in my age group ahead of Werner Müller-Schell and Vicenzo Moretti (Italy) in the unfortunately very thin category men 1. A little later I’m on the podium with both of them and enjoy the anthem. Rain, wind and doubts are long forgotten – and the common cold too, by the way.”
# WPCC organizer Walter Rottiers (right) and the organizers.
In the end, the German starters were able to collect the most medals in the respective disciplines and age groups. In 2015 the 16th WPCC will take place in Oudenaarde and where around 140 participants are expected.