BIKE Junior Team: Elias is German Champion U17 and Benjamin remains runner-up U15

Last weekend, the last race of the national junior classification in the U15 and U17 categories took place in Wombach. At the same time, a UCI Junior Series race took place as part of the Swiss Bike Cup for juniors Max Ebrecht and Paulina Lange in Lenzerheide. For the U15 and U17 it was the final race of the German Championships. The highlight: Elias Hückmann from the BIKE Junior Team became German champion in the XCO (U17), Benjamin Huber was able to defend his runner-up title in the U15.

Race report Benjamin Huber national junior classification

Last weekend, the final race of the national junior classification took place in Wombach. On Saturday, I took on the technically demanding slalom course, which had a lot of tight bends on a sandy surface. After a good start and a good feeling on the bike, I managed the first section well, but unfortunately I overlooked a pile of sand at a key point and my front wheel got stuck and I crashed. With the injuries from the first run, I wanted to give it my all again in the second. Unfortunately, I didn't have a good feeling on the bike, was very cautious and crashed again at the finish. The result was a very unfortunate day with a few grazes.

The XCO race was on the agenda for Sunday. I was very motivated and ready to start the race from the back row. I got off to a solid start, but unfortunately I had a collision with another rider after just a few metres and crashed. I was in last position when I started to catch up and I realised on the first climb that I was having a very good day. I managed to overtake around 40 riders. Bit by bit I got closer and closer to the leaders and after two laps I was in front and was able to pull away. The feeling in my legs was good and I managed to ride to the finish with a solid lead.

I'm really proud that I kept my cool in what felt like a hopeless situation, waited for my chance and took it.

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Race report Dennis Krimmel

The race in Wombach took place on Saturday for me and not on Sunday as usual. That's why I travelled there on the day of the race. When I inspected the course, I decided to ride the hardtail in the race again, as the course was not technical, but often had short, steep climbs.

After the start, I initially stayed in my position, which was relatively midfield, and then slowly tried to move forwards. I managed that very well. Within the first three laps I was able to fight my way up to 8th position. I often had to suffer a lot on the climbs, but the descents were very good for me to make up time. During these three laps, I even rode with riders who were otherwise much superior to me.

Hoping to overtake them, I unfortunately had to admit defeat due to cramps. At the end of the third lap, my left calf started to cramp. Within the next few laps, all my leg muscles were cramping. I even had to stop on the descent because it was no longer possible to continue in such a condition.

Nevertheless, my goal was to finish the race. I finished the race in 19th place, which is of course not what I expected, but I realise that things are slowly improving and that my performance is improving.

Race report Elias Hückmann

I was really looking forward to my last national junior classification in Wombach, as it has always been a great event on an excellent track. The slalom was on the programme on Saturday. Focussed and looking forward to it being my last slalom run, as I will be competing in the juniors next season, I threw myself into the "downhill". I managed to complete both runs cleanly and quickly. In the end, I came sixth, which I was happy with.

Now all the focus was on the XCO race on Sunday. I started the race from the front row and after a good start I managed to ride to the front of the field of riders in the "start loop".

Now I did everything I could to open up a gap. I succeeded and quickly built up a lead. I increased this lap by lap. Even though I noticed that my tyre was losing air on the second lap, the sealant sealed quickly, which is why I decided not to change the wheel in the "tech zone".

I crossed the finish line as the winner. Now my last competition in the BNS was finally "history". After a good season, I was able to crown myself the new German champion in Wombach. Overall, I really enjoyed the event, as the course was great fun and everything was well organised.

Race report Nico Brandl

Last weekend saw the final round of the national junior competition. The slalom was on the agenda on Saturday. I felt good and the run already suited me in training. That's why I was highly motivated at the start. Unfortunately, the first run was over quicker than expected.

I hit my rear wheel on the very first bend, had to click off and lost control of my bike. I crashed so badly that I couldn't ride the slalom or the race the next day. Now it's time for me to recover after a season full of ups and downs.

Race report Max Ebrecht Lenzerheide - Junior World Series, Switzerland

The course in Lenzerheide was largely as I knew it from the TV (World Cup). So I was really looking forward to being able to ride there myself. There was the iconic tarmac climb, the cool descents, jumps and the many root passages. All in all, it was a course that suited me very well and was really fun.

We had to do 5 laps and a start loop, which was about 2/3 of a lap. So I reckoned the race would take about 1:10 hours. Because I've collected quite a lot of UCI points over the season, I started from the second row. Unfortunately, I missed the start a bit, but I was able to make up for it on the first climb and finish in the top 10. I was able to stay there for the next few laps, even though I noticed the altitude (Lenzerheide is at 1,500 metres) more and more with every lap. On the penultimate lap there was an attack that I couldn't follow and so I slipped to 11th place. I managed to stay there for the last lap, despite technical problems with the rear brake. So I had to ride all the descents with virtually no braking effect on the rear wheel, which was quite exciting in parts. Nevertheless, I'm happy with the race as I didn't let the initial difficulties at the start get me down and just rode my boot. By finishing 11th, I was also able to collect another 20 important UCI points and position myself well for next season with a total of 110 points, when I'll be racing in the old age group. I'm now looking forward to my last MTB race of the season, the Bavarian Championships in Altenstadt in a fortnight' time.

Race report Paulina Lange

Even at breakfast in the morning, I didn't feel 100%. On the roll, however, everything settled down again. After a very good start from the front row, I went up the starting hill for the first few minutes. I managed to get into 6th position at the top and was therefore at the front. But then I realised that I wasn't feeling well. I lost some valuable time and positions and the gap to the front widened. But after almost two laps of suffering, the switch flipped and I had that good feeling back in me. The race to catch up had started and I was able to move up from 14th to 8th position.

My lap times got better from lap to lap, so in the end I was very happy with my last 3 laps. I had definitely aimed for more on the day, which unfortunately didn't quite work out. Nevertheless, I still managed to score some important UCI points for the coming season. The season is almost over, but I'll keep working to achieve the best possible results next year. In a fortnight' time, I'll be competing in my first roller skiing competition, which I'm already really looking forward to.