Ziener BIKE Festival Willingen
Richter and Putzenlechner German MTB Enduro champs
Press Release / 22.05.2017
Raphaela Richter and Leonhard Putzenlechner have prevailed in the German MTB Enduro championships which were staged at the SCOTT Upland Enduro of the 20th Ziener BIKE Festival Willingen today.
Richter successfully kept hold to her title earned last year in Schoeneck. The 19-year-old dominated the women's field like she did in the last year's race through the Upland region posting the best time on all six stages. In the end, the Radon Factory DH Racing athlete claimed her second consecutive national title in the time of 12:26.64 minutes.
The 2016 U21 Enduro World Series winner therefore relegated Ines Thomas to the second rank (13:07.33) clocking in a huge advantage of more than 40 seconds on the first ever German champion racing for the Canyon Factory Enduro Team. "I was a little bit surprised when I saw the advantage. I cannot really explain where it comes from but it could be worse," said Richter after her parforce run through the Northern Hesse countryside with a smile. "I think that I did benefit from the short stages. I guess things could have easily been the other way round with Ines if the stages would have been longer," todays dominating female rider pinned down the results.
Veronika Bruechle of Stevens MTB Racing Team rounded out the podium as third (13:16.46).
Over in the men's event, things were – unlike the women's race – way tighter in the battle for the national crown. While New Zealand's Joseph Nation of Bergamont Factory Enduro Team posted the best time in the elite class (10:46.27) it was Leonhard Putzenlechner surprising the top favourites for the German title coming in second (10:53.61) therefore claiming the 2017 title.
The 24-year-old was less than a second faster than dethroned defending champion Christian Textor (10:54.68).
However, the Weiden resident capitalised on a mistake of the Team Bulls racer who hit a tree on stage five. "I saw stars for a little bit. Of course it's a bit annoying that such a mistake decides about winning or losing but I'm not disappointed. I knew that I would face some strong competition, and that I would have to push it to my limits. But if you do so, mistakes can occur. However, Leo killed it and definitely deserves the win as he did race better today," summed up Textor in the finish area.
While the former national champion analysed the race in a professional way, Putzenlechner couldn't really believe what just had happened: "I'm super surprised as a lot of good riders had entered the competition. But I felt pretty good today, and I also think that I was an advantage not having the burden of being a title aspirant on your shoulders."
Rank three went to Andre Kleindienst of Bergamont Leatt Powered by Hayes Factory Team (11:11.55) who placed fifth overall behind of strong Czech racer Michal Prokop of Ghost Factory Racing RIOT (11:03.83).
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