BIKE Junior Team: Elias Hückmann wins silver for Germany in XCO at the EYOF

What a programme! Directly after the Race in Albstadt Elias travelled on to Maribor. There, around 3600 young athletes and officials from 48 European countries met at the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) in Maribor, Slovenia. This multi-sport event offers young athletes the opportunity to present themselves on an international stage with a "touch of the Olympics" and to compete against each other.

Elias Hückmann from the BIKE Junior Team dominated the race right from the start. Eventually a three-man lead group emerged with him, Krystof Bazant (Czech Republic) and Valentin Hofer (Austria). However, while the Austrian had to let go early on and finished third, Elias was still travelling together with Bazant for a while. Two laps before the end, however, the Czech accelerated on the climb and was able to open up a small gap to Elias, which widened once again when the BIKE Junior rider made a small riding mistake and came off the pedals. In the end, Bazant and Hückmann were separated by 33 seconds.

Elias has again recorded his own impressions and describes the race from his perspective:

Race report European Youth Olympic Festival from Elias Hückmann

My U17 race started at 12 noon, which I found very good. I was able to organise my race routine in the best possible way. As soon as I started the warm-up, I realised that my legs were turning well and I had the ideal conditions to show my best side in the race. I got off to a very good start from the front row and started the first of five laps in first position. Due to the very high initial speed, individual groups quickly formed.

I quickly realised that I'd had a really good day and could go all out on a muddy climb like this one. After this fast start phase, I lined up in third place and was able to close the gap to the two leaders. Now I had to keep my nerve on the technical descents and push hard on the climbs. Once the next two laps had passed with this strategy, I was no longer able to withstand the Czech's extremely strong attacks. So I played it safe on the last laps in second position and crossed the finish line in silver. Now I'm over the moon to be able to hold such a piece of jewellery in my hands.

DOSB President Weikert on the EYOF

DOSB President Weikert sees the European Youth Olympic Festival as an important part of youth development work: "At the EYOF, our best young athletes can compete with international rivals and experience a touch of the Olympics at an early age thanks to the character of an international multi-sport event. This experience should motivate them to pursue a longer-term career in competitive sport."

BNWS in Albstadt

Last weekend, the national junior classification took place in Albstadt, where the BIKE Junior Team led by Elias Hückmann was once again able to shine with outstanding performances. After taking first place there, Elias went straight on to the EYOF in Maribor.

>> The race reports on the 4th BNWS in Albstadt from him, Nico, Paulina, Lucie and Max can be found here <<