The MTB juniors’ event Kamptal Classic Trophy (C1) in Langenlois/Austria for Franziska Koch, who joined the STEVENS MTB Racing Team before the beginning of this season, was a premiere in two ways: It was her first race of the season and her very first race as a U19 Junior – and also kind of a test what she was capable of as a rider.

”Since it was my first race of the season plus in a new age category, I did not have any expectations in myself and was quite relaxed about entering the race,” Franziska said. Technically the course was simple but two steep ascends in the surrounding vineyards made it challenging fitness-wise.

At the start the newbie junior racer was at the very back of the field. ”But that wasn’t so bad because the trail was wide and it went uphill for quite a while.” The German Student Champion quickly advanced to the front and riding her STEVENS Sonora SL positioned herself in second place.

A minor steering error in an uphill section forced her off the bike and made her lose contact to the leader, U19 runner-up world champion and Austrian National Champion Lisa Pasteiner.
At times the gap was almost 30 seconds, ”but my legs kept getting better while the race went on, so in the final lap shortly before the finish I managed to close the gap.” Yet, she was outsprinted by Pasteiner right on the finish line. ”I’m still pleased with my level of fitness, though and I’m gladly looking forward to the upcoming races,” Franziska concluded her successful premiere in the Juniors’ category.