The 24 hour race in Kelheim is now 48 hours behind us. And we are still absolutely overwhelmed by this unique weekend.
The start of the second half of the season was a complete success and showed us again how important and valuable cohesion within our team is. Because not only the 5 drivers who were actively at the start in Kelheim, but also Christoph, Stefan, Bernd, Thomas and above all Manfred supported us throughout. Every team that has ever competed in a 24-hour race together knows how much effort it takes to start again and again and what awe you have for the other strong teams. Every little motivation or analysis of the racing situation from the outside is valuable.
Manfred and Bernd, our two veterans selflessly offered their help and would have been willing to stand in for one of us at any time if illness had intervened. This willingness and courage to face the two climbs to the Liberation Hall and the Stausacker Berg cannot be overestimated. I would like to thank both of them from the bottom of my heart.
Manfred and our "team angel" Rita were then on the track for 24 hours, cheering us on and motivating us again and again. That was amazing!
It was the third year in a row that the Merkur-Druck.com team was at the start in Kelheim. But it has never been as tough as this year. In recent years, there have been agreements between the leading teams, especially at night, in order to get through the night safely and to extend the lead over the rest of the competition. But this year the top group with 7 teams was just too big for such an arrangement. Not all interests could be reconciled and thus the whole night was constantly attacked.
In bad light and due to the high-visibility vests, it was sometimes difficult to distinguish between the opponents. In the early hours of the morning, the team from the Straube dental practice and the people from DerFreistaat.de from Dachau managed to advance unnoticed by cleverly rearranging their climbers. But Daniel gave me instructions for quick changes and just one lap later the breakaways were caught again. The shock was still great, the two teams hadn't shown much up to this point and the surprise of this tactical maneuver was all the greater.
The boys from Gaimersheim, the local mathematicians from Kelheim and we five Merkur boys were well represented in all groups and tried every lap to reduce the size of the top field, or at least to wear it down. In the early hours of the morning we were sometimes close to despair. The attacks were hard and fast, and yet it was not possible to shake a single driver off for many hours. The competition this year was too strong. When one of the big favorites to win, "Servershop24/XC-Ski", fell victim to one of these attacks, we were able to regain courage and let the time and many other attacks work for us.
The next victims of the tactical game were the Gaimersheimers, who determined the race with us for a long time. They risked a lot by changing their tactics and unfortunately this risk didn't pay off. Nevertheless, we would also like to congratulate the 6th and 7th place winners on their performance.
Five laps before the end, all drivers had to fight again. Nobody wanted to disappoint the others and due to the wild changes of the other teams, it was sometimes unclear which hurdles one had to contend with on the round. But everyone kept their nerve and didn't give up.
Four teams went to the last round. Shortly before that, the Austrians from Ernstl-Sport Neureichenau had lost touch, but they were only a few seconds behind us and despite the high speed that the final driver from Dentalpraxis Straube set in the mountain, the team's mountain specialist was able to use the tactics of the sprinters restore the connection in the descent. In the last few meters, this very driver then threw all his grains into the balance and tried to surprise us sprinters. A very good attempt, the tension was noticeable in the remaining teams. However, everyone was attentive and did not let themselves be taken by surprise.
Then it was the last kilometer. The air was thick enough to cut. At that moment, you're not only driving for yourself, you're carrying the agony of the whole team over the last 24 hours. I wanted so much to reward the team for the performances shown. Gather all your strength once again … the spectators flew past us on the last kilometer. My teammates had spread out and pushed me loudly again. 200 meters before the finish corner I increased the speed, took the lead and led the group around the last bend. With Sapek (Kreissparkasse Kelheim) and Harder (DerFreistaat.de) on my rear wheel, I climbed the last 150 meters of the bridge. Step by step the finish line flew closer, my thighs burned. A quick look and I was sure WE had made it. The whole load was discharged when they touched the finish line, and the title of the 24-hour race in Kelheim was defended. Behind me it was really tight again. The Kreissparkasse Kelheim crossed the finish line just ahead of the DerFreistaat.de team. The dental practice Straube followed in the next places before Ernstl-Sport Neureichenau.
The weekend will not be forgotten. From this point on, it was time to party! Our women, who also started like last year, achieved a phenomenal 2nd place in the women's competition and together we celebrated until our eyes closed.
At this point we would like to thank all our sponsors again. First and foremost to Merkur Druck GmbH and BKK Mobil for their trust in us. Our material partners for first-class quality. And ROTHAÍ Sports for the great support.
We also congratulate all participants in the 24-hour race on their personal top performance. And we would like to thank the organizer, the RSC Kelheim, for a thoroughly successful event. Your efforts were once again rewarded by the weather god himself!
We also join the organizers and thank the fire brigade and the police for an optimally secured race track and the continuous cheering next to the track. We would like to thank the local press for the great reporting. Your live reports also make it possible for viewers from home to participate in the events throughout the night.
Still completely overwhelmed, I am now looking forward to the second half of the season.
Your Frederick