Paulina Lange, Max Ebrecht and Dennis Krimmel competed for the BIKE Junior Team in the U19 Bundesliga in Gedern and fought for the top places. Paulina was able to secure third place after a good race. Max was the best in the young age group, coming seventh. Unfortunately, things went less well for Dennis. For health reasons, it was his first race in 2024, which he had to abandon due to injury after a fall.
Race report Max Ebrecht
Last weekend, the Vulkan Race took place in Gedern. I've known the course for years and, as always, it was great fun. It is twisty and peppered with short climbs, which were supported by two longer climbs to the finish and past the second tech feed zone. The infield with its obstacles and the many spectators is always a highlight.
My start was at 4.30pm, which I hadn't experienced before, as the start times for the junior races are usually in the morning. The track stayed dry throughout the day, which was good as the stones can get very slippery when it rains. We had to ride 1x start loop and 5x laps, which suited me very well. I was able to get into a good position at the start and start the first lap in P6-8. It stayed that way until lap 3, when I made a mistake and almost crashed, losing some time and allowing the eighth-placed rider to catch up with me.
On the last lap, I was overtaken by the eighth-placed rider, but that wasn't too bad as I was able to hang on to him and make the decisive attack on the penultimate climb and pull away. I finished my race in P7 as the best-placed in the younger age group. I'm more than happy with my race, as I was able to put my energy into the course and also did everything right tactically.
Race report Paulina Lange
At the weekend, the third round of the German National League took place on my favourite track in Gedern. My start from the front row was very unsuccessful and so I was one of the last to go into the start loop. I therefore invested a lot there in order to have a good position at the start of the technical sections. So I came into the forest in fifth position.
I very quickly realised that my legs were already a little heavier and I had to let the gap to the front open up. After the first full lap, I was able to catch up to fourth position and I found my rhythm again. I felt very strong on the third lap and was then able to move up into third position. I was able to hold on to this position and finished the Vulkan Race in the U19 category in (third - editor's note) place on the podium, which I am very happy with.
Race report Dennis Krimmel
The race in Gedern was the start of the 2024 season for me. Even though I've been unfit to race for a long time, I still decided to compete here. The main aim was to feel mentally fit again and gain more experience. Because of these goals, I wasn't as nervous as in previous years, when the focus was on the podium.
At the start, I knew that I would have to ride the race at my own pace and that I wouldn't be leading the front directly with the leaders. My starting position was on the second row as I still had UCI points from last season. After the starting signal, I went into the start loop and then into another five laps. On the second lap, I decided to stubbornly ride at my own pace and not pay attention to the athletes in front of me. I was in 15th place at this point and wanted to defend it until the end. After I had found my rhythm, my back started to cause me problems. This was mainly reflected in a lot of riding errors. I rode uncleanly and often had to click out. Nevertheless, I decided to keep fighting and pay as little attention to my back as possible.
But then I suffered a heavy fall. Seconds after the fall, I was back on my bike and ready to continue. But then I noticed extreme pain in my right hand, which I had broken last year. I decided to finish the race early as any exertion caused too much pain. After the race, I was able to discuss with my team manager what I should now focus on in terms of training. I also received a lot of advice, which is very important for me, especially in such a difficult phase. I will try to put this advice into practice over the next three weeks and then be back at the start in Obergesertshausen on 8/9 June.
