Germany’s biggest MTB event is in its 20th year again a magnet for visitors and participants. With 35.000 visitors despite of some rainy conditions, a sheer success!


Besides the Rocky Mountain Bike Marathon with more than 1.800 participants, the MTB Enduro German Masters, a Cravel-Ride cyclecross race, and an E-bike race took place, too. Even a kid’s race, the SCOTT Junior Trophy was on the schedule.
 
Marathon
With sunshine but cool temperatures like every year this time the riders were sent down the race track. Due to the continuous rainfall during the previous day the trails were muddy and rain- sodden. Some puddles seemed like mini-lakes.
After 96km with 2576height meters the finish of the middle track was reached. The long trail was after another 34km up the Ettelsberg to be mastered.

Ralf Kropp of Santos Rohloff team rode the middle trail and came in 2nd of the AK assessment. Riding on a 29 Santos bike he was coping well with the circumstances, provided well with Xenofit gels and minerals.

Fazit Kropp: I always wanted to ride the long trail but in my head I hear me saying: “Well, 96km is sufficient, turn to the finishing line, it’s enough, really!”  Still, I’m proud to be on the podium again.