The fourth race of the 2018 German Cycling League took place as part of the St. Pölten Cycling Marathon. The start and finish was directly in front of the state government building, but in between were 165 sweaty and demanding race kilometres for the drivers.
The race of the elite offered an extremely exciting competition in sultry weather in Ötscherland and the Mariazell area. The course was packed with many meters of altitude and demanding descents and demanded everything from the drivers. At the front Riccardo Zoidl of Felbermayr Wels won the race, behind him Chase team rider Manfred crossed the finish line with the main field after a driving time of 4 h and 30 min. The Chase Up wheels again did a great job and passed the endurance test both uphill and downhill with flying colours.
Chase Technical Manager Felix was also at the start in St. Pölten – he started a few minutes after the elite riders in the much larger field of amateurs. However, it was the same demanding and challenging course for the participants as for the elite riders. Felix found himself after the first mountain of the second group. The many animating attempts to keep up the pace to avoid a grouping of the rear drivers cost grains. On the penultimate climb he had to let his competitors go, and in the second half of the race he had cramps. Nevertheless, he finished the race in the front half of the field.
At the end of April, the Ferry Dusika track bike stadium closes its doors for a summer break. The track bikes are transferred from the cabins to the cellars. Only the intrepid Fixie riders are still on the road in Vienna on their city bikes with a rigid transmission.
Both types of cyclists met at the first “KonCrit” Fixed Gear Criterion on May 26th in the popular Cyclodrom. On the 900 m stretch with a wide, flat and a narrow, sloping left turn, road criteria are usually used. A relaxed atmosphere and wonderful summer weather brought many spectators and some courageous participants to the Danube Island.
Chase KonCrit Warm Up
For the Giant Omnium track wheel with Felix’s Chase Track track wheels it was the first contact with real road surface. From the start flag on, the 30 laps were tackled. At first quite restrained, after some rounds getting faster and faster.
The day before the last time trial of the Wienerwald Cup took place, perfect warm up for the 40-minute race. The average speeds in the Cyclodrom were again as expected high – 39.5 km/h Average – Fixed. Repeated attacks and vehement speeding led to a reduction of the field of participants, overlapped drivers were taken out of the race. It came to the finish sprint between Felix and two other drivers. On the home stretch there was a noticeable headwind, the position at the top was a disadvantage. With constant acceleration and the closing of the right line, the target sprint became a matter for the stiff Chase wheels. A victory.
photos Martin Granadia
With a sensational time of 1:05;45 minutes (almost 55 km/h average) Felix crowns himself after winning the title several times in the 4000m single pursuit for the first time also in the 1000m single time trial to the state champion in the overall class. Included: the Chase sub-100g Extensions!
Sideview © Martin Granadia
After the absence for day 2 of the short-term championships and the Olympic sprint, the big coup was achieved by winning the Keirin again! With a very good tactical performance Felix defeated the other five finalists and currently holds four of the possible eight state championship titles on the track.
Chase sub 100g Extensions, Photo © Martin Granadia