After my strong opening races in Germany, I returned home (Namibia) for two weeks, because my sister got married. As expected I did not spend much time on my bike (actually none) and thus lost a lot of my shape, but also recovered and rested well, which was really necessary and did a lot of good!
Back in Germany I had three days of training before the next race. I did not expect much, but I was far better than I hoped for. I just missed the decisive break, but still finished seventh overall, third from the bunch! The next day, Monday the 12th of May, me and the Merida Team (www.merida-road-team.com) went on a great MTB-ride, up and down the “Schwäbische Alb”. Although we certainly had lots fun, we had to learn the hard way, that road bikers should stay on the road. After about three hours Steffen Greger crashed badly, tearing the ligaments in his shoulder and some more weird painful stuff. Two weeks later he is back on the road, but still suffers a lot of pain and there is a lot of doubt as to full recovery.
Back to racing: After two more not so successful races, both were two flat for my liking, the “Baden-Württemberg Mountainchampionships” and the “Schloss Hoehenheimer Radrennen” were on the race calender last weekend. The first one is held just outside Stuttgart on a 5,5km lap. The first part of the lap goes up, the other one down. Crazy! I felt quite good during most part of the race, forcing the pace again and again and once too much. With three laps to go I was dropped by the three guys left with me, among them the current German Mountain champion Andreas Schillinger, after I had set a real high pace up the climb. On top of the hill the three attacked me, my legs went “BAAM BAAM”, and I could not follow anymore. I was a bit disappointed, knowing I could have done better, but was satisfied with my improving shape.
The following day the heat was one in Hohenheim. Like the past twelve years it was perfect weather and a lot of pros lining up like Stefan Schumacher from Gerolsteiner who was third at last years World Championships. Andreas Schillinger and his “Team Sparkasse”, Team Ista, a Czech professional team and a lot more track racers were also at the start. Knowing the race from the past, I saved myself for the first part of the race, not worrying about an early escape of six riders. The gas was really turned on in the second half by Schillinger, who's attack on the climb only Schumacher and myself could follow. We rapidly bridged the gap to the front, and with 10 laps to go it was me who put the hammer down. Again only Schillinger and Schumacher could follow, and we quickly established a safe lead. Two laps to go it was the bronze medalist from the WC to attack, and while I hesitated a bit to long, he already gained valuable meters. I tried hard to bring him back, but in the end had to settle for third, also been beaten in sprint by Schillinger.
Although it all could have gone a lot better, I'm happy with my form. At the moment I'm in Taiwan, where I will race the Giant Cup on Saturday and Sunday, which are very important races for Giant Asia Racing Team, so I'm hoping to do well.