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Federal youth screening in Gedern 2022

Federal youth screening in Gedern 2022Photo: Marko Haas
Federal youth screening in Gedern 2022
The BIKE Junior Team was once again successful at the national young talent review in Gedern: Lucie and Elias Hückmann and Paulina Lange in particular showed what the juniors are made of.

On 4 and 5 June 2022, the 3rd round of the national junior classification (BNS) took place as part of the Hessen Cup in Gedern. For the BIKE Junior Team, this meant an event together with the national league of the "big ones". It's always nice when the youngsters and the elite are united in one event.

Perfectly prepared by the local club, the beautiful route around the volcano promised exciting competitions at the Vulkan Race. Only the weather gods wanted to keep us on our toes.

Start at the Vulkan Race in Gendern, Hesse - right at the front: BIKE Junior team rider Paulina LangePhoto: Marko Haas Start at the Vulkan Race in Gendern, Hesse - right at the front: BIKE Junior team rider Paulina Lange

So we were able to arrive on Friday and practise the time trial course. The races consisted of a time trial on Saturday and the cross-country race on Sunday. Here are the reports from our five riders:

Race report by Elias Hückmann, U15:

Saturday: I got on well with my new bike on the damp and winding time trial course. After an extremely good start, I quickly found my rhythm and was able to complete the lap without any mistakes. In the end, my performance was enough to finish 9 seconds behind 3rd place behind Noah Sinner (GHOST Junior Team) and Jonas Schweizer (STOP&GO Marderabwehr MTB Team). I was very happy with this result.

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Elias flying low on the time trial course in Gedern. In the end, he lands his new projectile in 3rd place.Photo: Marko Haas Elias flying low on the time trial course in Gedern. In the end, he lands his new projectile in 3rd place.

Sunday: After another fantastic start, I was able to take the lead directly in the start loop. But unfortunately I got a puncture on my rear wheel and had to let five or six riders pass me. After the lightning-quick rear wheel change by my carers, I started to catch up on the last 1.5 laps. In the penultimate corner before the finish, I started an overtaking manoeuvre for second place, but I slipped briefly and had to click my foot out. In the end, I still managed Rank 3 and was once again very satisfied with my performance.

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Elias Hückmann also performed well in the XCO, attacking the runner-up but ultimately securing 3rd place.Photo: Marko Haas Elias Hückmann also performed well in the XCO, attacking the runner-up but ultimately securing 3rd place.

Race report from Lucie Hückmann, U17:

It was a very successful weekend for me. In the individual time trial on Saturday, I was able to take first place on the winding course littered with short, steep climbs - just like the weekend before in Böhringen. 5th place secure. In the evening, I had a quick look at some sections of the cross-country course, so I was worried that my legs would be tired the next day. But thank goodness that wasn't the case.

Here, Lucie Hückmann starts to jump solo, but in the end she and Paulina take the lead in the Vulkan Race in Gedern.Photo: Marko Haas Here, Lucie Hückmann starts to jump solo, but in the end she and Paulina take the lead in the Vulkan Race in Gedern.

On Sunday, I started my race from the front row with a small slip on the pedal, which is why I didn't start the race as well as usual. However, together with my team-mate Paulina, I positioned myself in 2nd and 3rd place in the start loop, but the previous leader, Paulina Weigelt from KTM Youngsters Team Bayern, then had a problem and had to ride into the tech and feed zone. So we are on 1st place and 2 and were able to hold these places until the end. I then won the final sprint with Paulina.

First and second place in the U17 w cross-country race go to the BIKE Junior Team: Lucie and Paulina dominated the field.Photo: Marko Haas First and second place in the U17 w cross-country race go to the BIKE Junior Team: Lucie and Paulina dominated the field.

I was able to take my very first victory in the national junior classification. It was an incredibly cool race - especially because I was able to do the laps at high speed with my team-mate Paulina.

Race report from Dennis Krimmel, U17:

Report on Saturday: After arriving on Friday and inspecting the course from the time trial, I was able to assess the track and was expecting a very intense and challenging four minutes in the time trial. The many short climbs and rocky sections take a lot of energy.

Dennis Krimmel leaves a lot of energy in the time trial to take 4th place on the volcano.Photo: Marko Haas Dennis Krimmel leaves a lot of energy in the time trial to take 4th place on the volcano.

This was more than confirmed in my run. I knew the route well, but my stamina wasn't good enough for such a long maximum performance. Due to the very high exertion, I had to click off twice and lost even more time as a result. At the finish I knew straight away that this run wasn't the best. This assumption was confirmed by the speaker. With a 4th place I wasn't satisfied with the time trial. I looked at the course again in the evening to make sure that at least the XCO race would be a success this weekend.

Sunday: The weather forecast predicted rain. That's why I opted for the coarser tyres. Unfortunately, it was the wrong tyre choice as it wasn't supposed to rain in the race. The start was exceptionally fast, something I'd never experienced in a BNS before. I rode the first lap in second place, but then had to pull away because I got back pain. I lost a few more places, especially on the climbs, where I was in a lot of pain.

Despite back problems, Dennis masters the cross-country course on Sunday with aplomb and finishes in 5th place.Photo: Marko Haas Despite back problems, Dennis masters the cross-country course on Sunday with aplomb and finishes in 5th place.

I led a group of three on the last lap. I was able to win the final sprint with aplomb and take the 5th place get. I'm very disappointed, especially because technical tracks like the one in Gedern normally suit me. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to show my technical skills as I had hoped due to the back pain. I think it's great that my team-mates did well and I'm looking forward to the next race with the team.

Race report from Paulina Lange, U17:

Saturday TT: Unfortunately I messed up my start, couldn't get into the pedals and slipped. After that, I was a bit hectic and winded. But things went well again on the technical lap, except for one spot where I had to click out briefly. Nevertheless, it was enough for a relatively good 6th placewhich I was quite happy with. It also meant a good starting position for Sunday.

A hectic start, but Paulina Lange quickly gets to grips with the tough time trial course and secures a good starting position for the XCO race the next day.Photo: Marko Haas A hectic start, but Paulina Lange quickly gets to grips with the tough time trial course and secures a good starting position for the XCO race the next day.

Sunday XCO: This time I got off to a very good start and lined up in 4th place directly behind Lucie after the start loop. My legs felt really good. We were able to work well as a team so that we were able to work our way up to 2nd and 3rd place after the first lap.

Then I had a small crash and lost a few seconds to Lucie. But I was able to close the gap again quickly. On the penultimate lap, we overtook Paulina Weigelt at the tech zone because she had a fault. So it was all out again on the last lap to secure the double victory. Unfortunately, I had to admit defeat in the final sprint, but I'm still more than happy with my victory. 2nd place on my absolute favourite course! I was also really happy about the win for Lucie. What a weekend with my first podium finish as a youngster in the U17!

Double lead from the BIKE Junior Team: Lucie and Paulina take the lead. Lucie wins the final sprint.Photo: Marko Haas Double lead from the BIKE Junior Team: Lucie and Paulina take the lead. Lucie wins the final sprint.

Race report from Max Ebrecht, U17:

The Vulkan Race in Gedern is one of my favourite races in the BNS. Last year I won here in the U15 category. So I was really looking forward to this race weekend and I had high hopes after having some bad luck last weekend in Böhringen.

After a defect last weekend, Max Ebrecht is highly motivated at the start in Gedern.Photo: Marko Haas After a defect last weekend, Max Ebrecht is highly motivated at the start in Gedern.

Time trial on Saturday: Once again, the motto for the TT was good starting position before taking too many risks. The track suited me well, but was still quite slippery in some parts due to the rain during the night. That's why I rode a bit more cautiously in some parts, which paid off in the end with the 15th place and a starting position on the third row.

Cross-country race on Sunday: I had a lot planned for the XCO race. I like the technical course and wanted to position myself in the top 10 and among the best in the young age group. Unfortunately, I had to drop back twice in the race. The first time was shortly after the start, because a collision in front of me blocked my line and I therefore went into the start loop in the back third.

But bad luck struck again this time! Max takes a risk, bumps into a pole and finishes the XCO in 17th place with another defect.Photo: Marko Haas But bad luck struck again this time! Max takes a risk, bumps into a pole and finishes the XCO in 17th place with another defect.

A little later on the first lap, when I took a little too much risk in an attack on my direct rivals, I unfortunately collided with a fence post. Straightening the handlebars cost me time, which I ended up losing to a better position. With the 17th place so I'm not entirely satisfied. But the good thing is that my form is getting better and better after the health problems in preparation.

Two third places for Elias Hückmann at the national young talent scouting event in Gedern (here on the podium in the U15m timetrial).Photo: Marko Haas Two third places for Elias Hückmann at the national young talent scouting event in Gedern (here on the podium in the U15m timetrial).

BIKE Junior Team placings at the BNS 2022 in Gedern:

Time trial on Saturday

  • 3rd place - Elias Hückmann, U15 m
  • 5th place - Lucie Hückmann, U17 w
  • 6th place - Paulina Lange, U17 w
  • 4th place - Dennis Krimmel, U17 m
  • 15th place - Max Ebrecht, U17 m

XCO on Sunday

  • 3rd place - Elias Hückmann, U15 m
  • 1st place - Lucie Hückmann, U17 w
  • 2nd place - Paulina Lange, U17 w
  • 5th place - Dennis Krimmel, U17 m
  • 17th place - Max Ebrecht, U17 m (defect)
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