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
58th GP Industria & Commercio (1.2U) © Elisa Nicoletti
Another national team assignment for Felix Ritzinger – this time near Treviso. First 8 laps on a flat circuit with an incredible 58km/h (!) average, then 4 big laps each 29 km, packed with two climbs and demanding descents. After the extremely fast initial phase followed only the really hard part of the competition. While the first climb was still rather flat and could be mastered on the big chain wheel, the second climb was not called “Muro Ca’ del Poggio” for nothing and got in the way of the already flaming legs with its continuous 15% gradient.
Felix put himself in the service of the team and laid the foundation for the top rankings of Mario Gamper (17) and Marcel Neuhauser (29) with his follow-up work and finished 59th after finishing the race.