Euro ‘Cross
Categories: Scripture
Much praise to Brother Schmidt for giving us a taste of the cross scene over on the continent. Hopefully we will hear more from him when the MTB season gets rolling. Here is his report:
Euro ‘Cross
Well, kind of. Cross in Germany is not what you may have heard or seen of Euro Cross. This is not Belgium or the Netherlands. Anyhow, cause I was on an after Christmas trip to my folks I decided to join the final of the national series 10km away in Vechta. Cross is not my prime passion – I prefer fat tyres – so this was my only race this season and I had no clue where to set my targets. Except for the top 4 of the series I didn’t know any of the starters. Conditions were perfect for cross: 2°C, rain after snow resulting in slight mud on frozen ground and some ice patches.
Cause I hadn’t scored any points yet this season I got a good overview of the field of about 60 guys above 40 – from the rear, but after a third of the first lap I moved up to the top 20 or so – and crashed…No damage but a soaked glove and only a few places lost, so I moved on. The course was a lot of singletrack. That was bad for me cause the guys in front of me weren’t too technical skilled and I couldn’t pass when I wanted and was good for me, cause those skinny tyre geeks pushed harder on the flats and couldn’t pass me when they wanted. Anyhow I tried my best although my hand in the wet glove had turned into an icicle and finished 17th. Not too bad for an off season race on national level.
Watched the ladies and Pros afterward and saw a strong young Paul Voss taking the win. He has just joined the ProTour Team Milram and will be a challenge next week at the nationals for Espoir WC winner Philip Walsleben and maybe another German who may be able to excel on an international level someday. We’ll see.
Overall I had fun on a nasty day..
stay big,
Frank
Burn Baby Burn
More photos HERE
Hey, if you want to see some of the Belgian action look here as I got to follow Molly Cameron in her travels around Belgium…
http://www.embrocation.blogspot.com
keep up the good work Reverend.
jd