Triple crown for STEVENS Racing Team’s men, double triumph for its women: Paul Lindenau won the first race of the ”Deutschland-Cup”, Jessica Lambracht won the Elite Women’s category in the first race of Germany’s most important cyclocross series.

About 1.000 spectators followed the race in finest late-summer weather and temperatures of over 20°C (68 °F). They saw a superior start-to-finish victory of Paul Lindenau who won in front of his team mate Michael Schweizer, winner of last year’s series’ overall title. Third was Ole Quast, last year’s winner of the Hamburg cross-country run. Male Elite riders had to go for 60 minutes on a 2.5 km (1,5 mls) course.

Due to his age of 18, Paul Lindenau, who just had advanced to the Elite class, was allowed to start 30 seconds ahead of the field together with a group of racers of the same age. In the end he celebrated an undisputed start-to-finish victory on a course, which was not too fast but technically challenging including six curves, six sand pits and three obstacles per lap.

*** All results of the races ***

”The race should not have lasted any longer. Michael was right at my heels.”, the winner said at the award ceremony. Within the last two laps, Lindenau’s lead of 50 seconds melted down to only 18 seconds. ”Paul has ridden the race tactically clever.”, said Jens Schwedler, Directeur Sportif of STEVENS Racing Team. ”He used his power very wisely and made up speed not by using force but by power-economic shifting. That’s how he lasted until the end.”, Schwedler said.

In the Elite Women’s race the podium worked as a stage for a family reunion. After a strong race, the STEVENS Racing Team members Bettina Lambracht (1st) and Lisa Heckmann (2nd) were accompanied by Jessica Lambracht, Bettina’s mother, who is racing for STEVENS Hytera. The winner started into the race reluctantly: ”First I was watching what Lisa (Heckmann) was up to. When we passed two Junior riders, I took my chance and went two laps full throttle. After that I could release my power evenly through the remaining race.”

In the U19 class, STEVENS Racing Team member and German Junior Champion Ludwig Cords raced to second place. Winner was Paul Rudolph from Berlin, and Tarik Haupt came in third.

Over 1.000 spectators experienced spectacular bike racing right next to the race track in great late-summer weather and plus 20 °C (68 °F) temperatures: Jumps over three obstacles, exhausting sand pits, tight, rubble covered corners and descents demanded a lot of riding skills and fitness from the participants.

Werner von Hacht, STEVENS CEO and Deputy Chairman of Harvesterhuder Cycling Club, that organized the race, was absolutely pleased about the event: ”Great weather, great sports. 1.000 spectators saw an exciting high-class race. We also experienced great feedback from other races of the STEVENS Cyclocross Cup.”

STEVENS Cyclocross Cup began with the hobby class and senior category races, which both experience growing popularity. All in all there were more than 200 male and female starters on the horse race track.

Mr. Von Hacht was also pleased with STEVENS Racing Team’s achievements. He said: ”We expected others to be the top contenders, but they didn’t prevail. That means, we still need to put some effort into it. But even that is o.k..” STEVENS Racing team will gain the final missing ounces to top-fitness in training camp in Harburg and Hamburg within the next weeks.

All infos about the race you’ll find in www.cyclocrossnord.de.