Cycling: Last weekend the second stop of the European Enduro Series took place in the newly founded Bike Republic Sölden. Nico Lau and Ines Thoma once again lived up to their role as favorites and won the race.
"This is enduro", is how most riders describe the trails in Sölden. With the newly founded 'Bike Republic Sölden', the region has created an extraordinary terrain and with the new almost 5 km long Täereline an absolute highlight in the program. With the breathtaking mountain scenery of the Ötztal Alps, the riders had to prove their skills and against the overwhelming fight the heat.
Due to the unbearable heat it was not possible to start directly from the glacier this weekend, but the riders and organizers were still more than happy with the stages. The shimmering heat dried up the trails completely and the participants had to prove themselves on the dusty trails and the high alpine stages.
Technical and rocky sections alternated with the flowing 'tear line' and fast sections. A race that every endurist can only dream of.
"The heat was bearable thanks to the many lift shuttles and the stages here in Sölden were really awesome", said Ines Thoma after her victory in Sölden. The Canyon team rider showed her skills again and dominated the women's field. The German Lisa Policzka and the Swiss Monika Büchi were hot on her heels, but Thoma was able to fully live up to her role as a favourite.
Nico Lau also didn't give his competitors a chance and confidently won the Men Elite Class ahead of Michal Prokop and Markus Reiser from Germany. At the finish, Lau was extremely happy with the result and fascinated by the fast and technical trails in Sölden, which provided perfect training for the next stop of the EWS in France.
Full results available at European Enduro Series.