Elisabeth Brandau (33) is currently eighth in the UCI MTB world cross country rankings, making her the best German in the elite category. The mother of two sons - Maximilian (3) and Alexander (1) - manages the Energie Racing Team (EBE Racing Team), for which she rides. She is a non-medical practitioner, trained refrigeration engineer and building energy consultant. In January 2018, the former road cyclist became German cyclocross champion, and she also won several cross-country races and the German championship this season. Her best World Cup result in 2018 was fifth place in Albstadt. At the World Championships in Lenzerheide in September, she took silver with the mixed team.
Back on Radon bikes
Back in 2003, when Brandau switched from road racing to MTB, the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo were one of her major goals. After a year on Mondraker bikes, Brandau is now switching back to Radon. She had already been riding the Bonn-based mail-order company's bikes for several years. She will now be chasing titles on Radon bikes until 2020. Her big goal before the Olympics will be the 2020 home World Championships in Albstadt.
Brandau rode a hardtail for most of the 2018 racing season, only rarely using a fully (in Canada and at the World Championships). "I like not only the lightness but also the directness of the bikes. They don't forgive you any mistakes, but you know 100 per cent how they react," says Brandau. However, Radon does not currently have a carbon race fully in its MTB range, so she will continue to ride hardtails on the demanding World Cup courses. However, she won't be doing without a Vario seatpost on her new Jealous - just like many other riders in the Women's World Cup.
Elisabeth Brandau's race bike
Frame: Radon Jealous 18" - standard frame
Fork: Fox 32 Factory Stepcast Kashima
Circuit: Sram XX1 Eagle
Crank handle: Sram XX1 Eagle
Chainring: Absolute Black Oval 34 teeth
Brakes: Magura MT8
Seat post: Rockshox Reverb 100mm
Impellers: Tune Blackburner
Tyres: Vittoria Barzo 2.25 / Vittoria Peyote 2.25
Handlebars: PRC MCG Flat
Handles: Esi Grips
Stem: Syntace Flatforce 55 31.8
Pedals: Crankbrothers Candy
