Four Germans finish in the top 15
In the men's elite race at the European Championships in Novi Sad, the German starters were convincing. Georg Egger (Lexware MTB Team) was part of the leading group around the eventual winner Lars Forster for a very long time. In the end he finished eighth, 46 seconds behind the Swiss rider. Egger's team-mates Luca Schwarzbauer and Maximilian Brandl fought a thrilling sprint for tenth place, which Schwarzbauer won just ahead of Brandl. Niklas Schehl (Team Bulls) finished in 13th place. Four riders in the top 15 is a strong result.
Bronze medals in U23 for List and Eibl
Germany's Ronja Eibl finished 1:37 minutes behind the sovereign winner from Austria, Mona Mitterwallner, and one minute behind the Dutchwoman Puck Pieterse to take European bronze in the U23 category.
"I'm happy that I finally managed to win an individual medal. I coped well with the heat this time, probably also because I came from Tokyo and had already got used to such climatic conditions there. It wasn't the best course for me today, I prefer it when there are more metres in altitude. But I realised on the way that I had gained strength," said Eibl at the finish. Leonie Daubermann in sixth place and her sister Luisa, who had a defect, in twelfth place rounded off the German team's good performance. U23 women at this European Championship from.
David List from Friedrichshafen also took bronze in the men's U23 race. The rider from the Lexware MTB Team was only two seconds slower than the victorious Swiss rider Joel Roth. The silver medal, which went to Italy's Juri Zanotti, was only one second off the pace. List said afterwards: "I'm super happy. My goal was to attack the top three. I knew the potential was there and I prepared fully for these European Championships and I'm happy that my plan worked out. This is my first medal at an international competition. Now I'm looking forward to the World Championships in a fortnight' time."
German relay team wins European Championship bronze
With the European Cross-Country Mountain Bike Championships in Novi Sad in Serbia saw the first medal for Germany on the first day. The BDR team took bronze in the relay race. Leon Kaiser, Lars Gräter, Nina Benz, Finja Lipp, Ronja Eibl and Niklas Schehl rode a strong race on the dusty, fast course. In the end, the six young Germans were rewarded with bronze. After six laps, the German team crossed the finish line just 34 seconds behind winner Italy and 18 seconds behind Switzerland, who took silver. "It was a very interesting race, with exciting battles for position. The course is very fair, there are not so many technical difficulties. And it was a very good start for us today," said national coach Peter Schaupp. Although some of the top riders have decided not to take part in the European Championships after the Olympic Games, the performance is remarkable. The oldest rider in the German team was Niklas Schehl, aged just 23. Olympic starter Ronja Eibl is also one of the youngest elite riders in the women's team at the age of 21. "We had a very young team at the start and knew that everyone could deliver a good race in their positions. Everyone rode a good fast lap. The conditions were very tough because it was also very hot today," summarised junior national coach Marc Schäfer.
