Cycling: The first round of this year's 4X Pro Tour took place at the IXS Dirt Masters Festival. The Frenchman Quentin Derbier was able to repeat his victory from the previous year and relegated Scott Beaumont and Benedikt Last to second place.
The 4X Pro Tour started the new season as part of the IXS Dirt Masters. While Tomas Slavik and his teammate Felix Beckeman had to sit out due to injury, more than 200 drivers fought for places. After the time qualification was run out on Saturday, on Sunday afternoon things went well under the best conditions.
Berlin's Aiko Göhler, who finished 4th at the World Championships last year, had a pitch-black day. After a mixed qualification, he was cleared in his first run while in the lead and was eliminated early. Meanwhile, the German flag was held high by Benedikt Last. The German runner-up fought his way to the final in exciting runs and found himself there with Frenchman Quentin Derbier, Swiss Simon Waldburger and Briton Scott Beaumont at the gate. After a good start, all four drivers were tied. Benedikt Last received a push from Derbier and had to hold back for the time being. Derbier thus had a clear path and was chased by the rest. In the end he crossed the finish line first ahead of Beaumont and Last, who made a very good start to the 4X Pro Tour season with his third place.
Helene Fruhwirth dominated the women's. The Austrian relegated Julia Lackas, who was able to win the qualification the day before, to second place. They were followed by Marisa Roth and Michaela Berakova.
