In front of incredible crowds in the Aalen's city centre, world champion Simon Gegenheimer of the Mountainbike Racing Team celebrated his home victory. Despite a fall in the qualifying, the Aalen native, who had been one of the favourites in the qualifying, ahead of the French champion Titouan Perrin-Ganier and his fellow countryman Quentin Schrotzenberger. In a tight sprint, Gegenheimer secured victory with a tyre width advantage, his home crowd into a state of emergency and, by the way, Gegenheimer increased his lead in the his lead in the UCI World Cup. Perrin-Ganier and Schrotzenberger followed in second and third place. and third place, while the young German Stephan Mayer and Felix Klausmann completed the great completed the great German result.

In the women's race, a birthday girl celebrated victory: World Champion Gaia Tormena. Local hero Marion Fromberger, who, like Gegenheimer, is the mountain bike manager for the cycling scene in the Ostalb region. was tied with Tormena until one lap before the end. But after a big fight and a crash on the last lap, she had to settle for fourth place. Second place went to German champion Lia Schrievers ahead of Coline Clauzure (FRA). 

But what the LTE Sports Events around Steffen Thum from Aalen and his partner Remi Laffont together with the Alpen Bike Academy and the city of Aalen, is unparalleled in the eliminator. It felt like the whole of the Ostalb was on its feet and euphorically cheered the athletes on the almost 700m long lap in 5-6 rows.

The joint effort, which Thum also supported with the support of mayor Frederick Brütting, ended up in an outstanding event and an spark for the entire region and for biking in general. The perfect day.

Report: Alpen Bike Academy I Images: Helge Röske