Race report “neuseen classics – all about lignite” by Tamara Kroll / Team Green'n Fit
It went from Cologne to Leipzig this weekend for the next race of the German Cycling Cup 2016.
Manuela, Tanja and Tamara started in the morning for the big 100 km lap “around the lignite”. In the afternoon, Jane, Jonathan, Stefan and Thomas represented Team Green 'n Fit on the 60km course. The performance, the yellow jersey and five trophies are impressive!
In car pools for the others, with the train for me, it started on Saturday. We long-distance women had rented a great apartment very close to the Alte Messe, even though we vowed next time to make sure that it wasn't on the third floor in a building without a lift.
On Sunday morning we started relaxed with breakfast on the balcony. Tanja made the best breakfast coffee and the sun was shining. Perfect. The three of us then drove towards the start, did a few laps and then we went to the starting line, where tactics and strategy were discussed.
The starting shot was fired, everyone darted around the first curves and past the Völkerschlachtdenkmal, and we were quickly out of town and out into the country towards Störmthaler See. This was circumnavigated twice for the 100 km route and once for the 60 km route. Because we had really nice weather with pleasant temperatures without wind, you could now and then enjoy the landscape and the views. Unless, of course, you were fighting for first place...
The race was very well signposted, the roads were in top condition, and helpers were deployed at very regular intervals. The commentators kept the waiting audience updated with their refreshing manner. A credit to the organizers, especially since this year's race almost didn't take place due to a lack of financial support.
Manuela got back the yellow jersey without any problems and crossed the finish line as the second woman and first in her age group, with a nice average speed of over 42,5 km/h. Close behind was Tanja, who actually prefers the shorter races. But today she showed that even 100 km doesn't bother her. Unfortunately I was just not in shape after a painful fall yesterday. Despite this, I finished fourth in my age group. But it's not easy for me anyway when the strongest women in the German Cycling Cup are also in my age group!
After the winners were honored and celebrated, the starting gun went off for the others in the team. Meanwhile, everyone and their families could spend their time on the square, where there were various stalls.
And then the leading trio of the 60 km race shot up, a last sprint out of the curve in sight, number one and two then separate a three thousandth second, number three is our Jonathan with a gap of two seconds. Terrific! Later he told me that he said to himself: "Today I'll just do everything right". Well, that's what he probably did! Soon afterwards you can see more green and black jerseys, Thomas arrives as the fortieth participant and also makes it onto the podium, as AK 3rd, which surprised him and above all he liked it! And of course us too.
A successful day has come to an end. We had a lovely weekend, Leipzig was a great host and it's always fun!