Punctually at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning we Cologners set off towards Leipziger Neuseenland.
After the nearly 600-kilometer drive, we met the rest of the team members at the ROTHAÍ stand on the exhibition grounds. After picking up the numbers, after checking in at the hotel, we went directly to a small tour of the track and a joint exit.
Since our Ronny is at home in this area, we were able to take a closer look at tricky and crucial sections and think about initial tactical approaches in advance.
During the obligatory joint dinner at an Italian restaurant, the mind could be switched off again in a relaxed and fun atmosphere, after all the final meeting was not on the agenda until the next morning.
Due to the early start, we had to go to bed early, rested and concentrated, we met early for breakfast on Sunday morning. Together we went through important sections of the route again and agreed on two key points where we wanted to try to decimate the field.
At 8 a.m. we got our Fujis ready and drove together to the starting area at the old trade fair center in Leipzig. Roll up a little and then we placed ourselves in the starting block. The starting shot was fired punctually at 8.30 a.m. with cool temperatures and a good breeze.
The narrow and winding paths of the first few kilometers made us stay at the front of the pack to avoid any risk of falling. A brave breakaway attempt by Paul Sicking after a few kilometers only became serious when two riders joined them. In order not to let the lead over the breakaway group get too big, Team Bürstner put the field of riders on the edge of the wind for the first time halfway through the race. Now it was time to stay tuned, and the entire field of drivers pulled through a narrow town like a string of pearls.
That's where one of our chosen key spots started and we picked up the pace to split the field. Some riders quickly had to let go and several small groups formed. The next 10 kilometers flew by, but due to the wind some effort was necessary and my pulse shot up to over 180 beats at times. While the legs were getting thicker and thicker in the lactate, we circled with six team members in front of Stephan Räth in the yellow jersey.
After we reduced the pace a bit again, individual groups were able to catch up from behind. However, the field had now shrunk to about 50 riders, so in this constellation it was much safer towards the final.
After leaving the lakes behind, a few riders banded together on a small climb for a final attack. The peloton was stretched out again, but all attacks towards the finish line were thwarted.
Now it was about preparing the sprint for me in the best possible way so as not to get stuck or hindered in the last two kilometers. As always, I could fully rely on my team. Perfectly positioned, I was able to be the first to turn into the home straight through the right-left chicane, on which there was another fall behind me.
The last forces were mobilized for the final sprint and overjoyed I was able to win for my team.
At this point, a very special thank you goes to my coach Enrico Poitschke, who has been at my side with advice and action for years.
With the certainty that no driver had been seriously injured in the fall, we were able to enjoy the success together and, after the award ceremony, ended the day of the race at the ROTHAÍ stand with a cool Wernesgrüner.
I'm already looking forward to seeing you again at the GCC racing circuit in Schleiz in three weeks!
Until then,
Your Daniel
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