For me it was the weekend after the two-week break from racing at the start of the second run of the Braunschweig Panther Cross in Harxbüttel. After I was able to win second place in the first race of the oldest cross series, I wanted to come back and defend second place in the overall standings. On a fast course that always required full power from the drivers, three short sand passages were built in. However, this should not prevent the top drivers from setting lap times of around 3 minutes. Despite competitive events, a few strong riders found themselves at the starting line.
At temperatures around 20°C, I was able to get back into second position after a good start; only Fabian Brzezinski got off to a better start. The driver of the IGAS Wendland pulled away immediately and quickly gained a commanding lead. Together with Michael Witte from Blau-Weiss Buchholz I started the pursuit. During the first laps we tried to keep up the pace together and not let the lead get too big. After about half the distance I was able to pull away from my opponent. Alone, I set off in pursuit of the leading driver, and to my amazement my gap got smaller from lap to lap. Driven by the ever-increasing cheers from the spectators, I approached Fabian Brzezinski three laps before the end and passed him on the same lap. I drove the last two laps alone at the front to a hard-fought victory. Fabian secured second place; The podium was completed by Michael Witte. With that I start at the last run of the Panther Cross Cup on December 20.12th. as overall leader in the race.
Stevens in Kleinmachnow superior
Parallel to the race in Braunschweig, the fourth round of the Germany Cup took place in Kleinmachnow near Berlin. On the course, which traditionally goes through the Kiebitzberge, all the top German drivers were at the start. The youth and student drivers made the start in the morning, before the drivers from the Stevens Racing Team dominated the races in the elite classes. Already in the women's category, a trio consisting of Lisa Heckmann, Jessica Lambracht and Stefanie Paul kept the competition at bay and thus delivered a clean podium.
The Stevens men didn't want to let that sit on them. Encouraged by the achievements of the women, they even managed to draw the first four places among themselves. Paul Lindenau was again able to safely defend his lead of 30 seconds (starting lead for the youngest U23 class) to the finish. Behind them, Ole Quast, Jannick Geisler and Max Lindenau shared the other podium places. So there was another pure Stevens podium in the order mentioned.
On Sunday the drivers from Kleinmachnow met with many drivers from Braunschweig in Bad Salzdetfurth to collect more points for the Germany Cup. On the grounds of the bike and outdoor park, a technically demanding route was marked out, which included everything that makes Cross with climbs, sandy passages and longer marches.
In Bad Salzdetfurth, too, at 10 a.m. the amateur drivers had the opportunity to try themselves on the course before the youth, senior and elite drivers then plowd the course. I had to start from the second row after having only taken part in one Germany Cup race. On the long start straight I was able to hold my ground in 15th place before heading off-road. The youngest age group of the U23s had a free run again with 30 seconds, but Paul Lindenau – the winner from Hamburg-Horn and Kleinmachnow – had to start together with the older age groups after his convincing performance. But that shouldn't stop him from immediately taking the lead here as well. It didn't take long before Paul had closed the 30 seconds and was able to quickly pull away from his other opponents.
At the same time, I tried to keep working my way up the field, so that I was able to make up a few places in the first three laps - until I had to take a quick test of the soil in a muddy passage. With that, the overtaken drivers were past me again and I had to attack from far behind again after my wheel change. I was able to play to my strengths on the technical course and make up the places. So I managed to get back up to 12th place.
Paul Lindenau won again in a sovereign manner ahead of Ole Quast and Jannick Geisler. Jessica Lambracht had previously prevailed against Lisa Heckmann and Yvonne Fiedler in the women's category.
Best vibes in Belgium
The international cross-country circus was also on the road at the weekend and reported back at the Post Cup in Oudenaard and in Zonhoven at the Superprestige Cup. Sven Nys had to admit defeat in the sprint both times.
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On Saturday, the young Belgian and current U23 World Champion Wout van Aerts prevailed; on Sunday, Kevin Pauwels narrowly secured victory in front of thousands of spectators. Philipp Walsleben was the best German on both days and was able to secure 14th place at the Koppenberg Cross on Saturday; on Sunday it was even enough for the top 10 with tenth place. The European Championships are coming up in Lorsch next weekend. The German squad will be presented in the coming days, you will find all information about it in the Velomotion News.
I'll start in Kiel for the next Stevens Cross Cup race, but I'll try not only to report from there, but also to keep you up to date with information from the EM.
Until then, chain right...!
Team