A race report by Malte Beversdorff / Team Lübbering
As previously announced, I set out early on Friday morning to cycle to distant Berlin. The route was quickly found due to some previous knowledge, and we drove from Herford via Bad Oeynhausen to Porta Westfalica. Greeting the Kaiser Wilhelm monument, we continued towards Hanover, always following the B65.
In Burgdorf we then drove onto the B188 and followed it to Tangermünde. We passed Wolfsburg, Gardelegen and Stendal in no time. A pretty fun and fertile area, because there is no other way to explain the many caravans and storks to me 😉
Constantly alternating with Frank Taschen and myself in the lead, we escorted our third man, Lutz Schönfeld, safely to Potsdam. All respect, he had started with a bad cold. However, I didn't want to drive to Potsdam via the B1 and chose my favorite route along the Templiner See and Schwielow See via the ferry to Caputh.
Berlin in sight and already the chaos started. So far we've been rolling pretty relaxed in westerly winds with a 33 average. Due to the Berlin stop'n'go traffic, this dropped to a good 31km/h. Despite everything, we had reached our destination Berlin in 421 km.
Now for the race on June 18th. Luckily the organizer counted my finish from 2008 and classified me in Block A. Nothing against the athletes in F and G, but a propeller on the helmet, a bi-fi in a jersey, a cigarette before the start - that's too far removed from my definition of cycling for me.
Since I was aware that it would be nervous at first, I stayed in the top 15 as much as possible in order to be in control of the situation myself. The group of the day formed up at Wannsee, unfortunately without me. Due to the not yet completely fresh legs and the lack of track knowledge. Despite everything, I tried to pull up with all my might, but was only able to hold a hole of 20 seconds for a good 30 km, but not reduce it. Unfortunately we were only 5 out of 100 who took part in the tracking work.
From then on I decided to concentrate fully on the sprint. I'm aware that this is not my forte, but I describe myself more as a violent driver who tries to die at the front with pure will. As 4th in the main field, I didn't let myself be beaten, but with 12th place and 5th in the AK I can be satisfied after the previous load.
Unfortunately, Tanja Hennes fell back a bit due to several falls and missed the leap into the first group. Nevertheless, she was able to win the women's classification with a lead of 20 seconds. Congratulations! (also for the golden Master Card after the Saturday shopping marathon 😉 )
Jörg Pohlmann tried to find his luck on the 180 loop. With 181st place and 53rd in the AK, he achieved a respectable result, which is very remarkable in the competition.
Oh yes, the countdown is on, on August 19th we will cycle to the Cyclassics in Hamburg. If you want to come along, please let us know. Well then, open fire!!
Malte Beversdorff / Team Lübbering