Cyclocross DM Vechta 2016 – Elite men: Philipp Walsleben drives away from defending champion Weber
Philipp Walsleben is German cyclo-cross champion for the sixth time. After the 28-year-old had to admit defeat to Sascha Weber last year, he turned the tables on Sunday at the Cyclocross DM 2016 in Vechta. After a very exciting race, in which the leading trio of Walsleben, Weber and Marcel Meisen fought a hard and exciting battle, the successful Barndenburger was able to regain 'his' title.
Defending champion Sascha Weber seized the initiative right from the start and set the pace at the front - only Walsleben was able to keep up, while Marcel Meisen completed the leading trio with some distance. All three drivers drove at their limit: First, Walsleben crashed on the second lap and fell behind Meisen, but he was able to fight his way closer to the front with every turn of the crank and thus seemed to have a mental advantage over his competitors. Later, when the leading Weber also had unintentional contact with the ground, the duo at the front were together again.
In the last lap, Walsleben was able to set the decisive needle prick, open a small gap and increase the speed again. Weber had no answer to this advance, as he himself reported after crossing the finish line: "In the last lap I noticed that I couldn't keep up with Walsleben [...] I actually felt good, but Philipp was simply stronger and deserved to win."
Cyclocross DM Vechta 2016 – U23 men: Heart-stopping final with a happy ending for Drumm
The men's U23 race was probably the most exciting competition at the Cyclocross DM in Vechta last weekend. With three laps to go, the race was still largely open and a sextet at the front still had every chance of winning the title. However, the later winners Felix Drumm and Max Lindenau already made the strongest impression. So Lindenau launched the first attack in the penultimate lap and was able to clearly distance Drumm. It already seemed to be a preliminary decision - the gap felt bigger rather than smaller.
Mission title defense successful! 1st win of the season #kuotalotto #lottorlp #rideshimano #corehouse #Twzk pic.twitter.com/1WlD9VClbb
— Team Kuota Lotto (@TeamKuota) 9 January 2016
On the last lap, however, Drumm found the second air and fought his way back to the leader Lindenau in an impressive manner. Side by side, wheel by wheel, the two leaders drove down the home straight and ultimately Drumm was able to prevail in the sprint. "Actually, I didn't believe in the title anymore," admitted the winner after the race. "Max was strong as an ox today, would have deserved the title, but in sport everyone wants to win," he said, greetings again to the unfortunate second-place finisher.
Cyclocross DM Vechta 2016 – Women: Premiere for Brandau
The women's title this year went to Elisabeth Brandau, who is actually on the mountain bike for the Radon EBE-Racing Team in the cross-country and marathon disciplines. Nevertheless, the 30-year-old, together with Jessica Lambracht, dominated the race for large parts. The duel was exciting to watch due to the different conditions: What the mountain biker Brandau lacked in terms of technology, she tried to compensate with strength and will.
On the last lap, Brandau, who was behind Lambracht at the time, plucked up courage and attacked on the last long climb. Lambracht was unable to counter the attack and finally had to watch from behind as Brandau crossed the finish line with a lead of 24 seconds.
Leave a Comment