MTB cycling: The 2016 enduro season started last weekend in Treuchtlingen with the first run of the Specialized-SRAM Enduro Series. In the brilliant race with seven special stages, the Czech Premek Tejchman (Team Specialized) and the German Raphaela Richter (Radon Magura Factory Team) came out on top.
As an integral part of the Enduro racing calendar of the Specialized-SRAM Enduro Series, the popular race in the Altmühltal could not be missing this year either. The high popularity of the event was also reflected in a new record number of participants. More than 600 riders from 16 different nations gathered for the enduro season opener in Treuchtlingen, unfortunately another 150 registrants only made it onto the waiting list.
The route concept was revised again by the organizers of the RCG Weißenburg. Those responsible recognized many years ago that a race and the atmosphere rises or falls with the route. The starters in Treuchtlingen can look forward to new, attractive sections of the route every year. In the pro classes, no fewer than seven special stages were on the program, while the open classes determined the winners on five stages.
Traditionally, the training took place on Saturday. Due to the rain of the previous night, the riders had to contend with tough track conditions. The ground was pretty soft and the loamy ground offered little grip on the descents. Unfortunately, the weather forecast with wet conditions for Sunday was confirmed, the conditions on Sunday proved to be extremely tough and exhausting.
The Norwegian Zakarias Johansen (Specialized Nordic) set a time in the Elite Men class that the subsequent favorites Michal Prokop (Ghost Factory Riot), Marcus Klausmann (NOX Cycles) and Fabian Scholz (Focus Trail Team) could not beat . Only one rider managed to get in front of the Norwegian: Premek Tejchman. Christian Textor (Team Bulls) from Germany finished third.
In the Elite Women class there were almost exclusively German riders at the start, with the exception of the Swiss Lea Rutz, who finished 11th. With strong, six out of seven races won, Raphaela Richter clearly won yesterday. Last year's serial winner thus consistently continued her impressive performances from 2015. Veronika Brüchle (Stevens MTB Racing Team) finished second ahead of Stephanie Teltscher (Team Focus).
