MTB News: Max Brandl won the title again at the German Cross Country Mountain Bike Championships in Obergessertshausen. The Lexware mountain bike team rider was able to prevail in an exciting race to catch up against the reigning German champion on the racing bike and cyclocross Marcel Meisen (Alpecin-Fenix). Third place went to Manuel Fumic (Cannondale).
Challenging conditions awaited the cross-country riders at this year's German Mountain Bike Championships in Obergessertshausen near Günzburg. The muddy track with tough mud proved to be very exhausting with its many running passages. Requirements that are almost tailored to a cyclocrosser like Marcel Meisen. Although the Rhinelander has hardly ever competed in mountain bike competitions, he attacked from the start in the men's elite race. In order to minimize the risk of falling, the Alpecin-Fenix driver deliberately chose the B-lines. The strategy seemed to work, because he was able to gain up to 50 seconds with this tactic. The chasing group with Max Brandl (Lexware Mountainbike Team), Manuel Fumic (Cannondale) and Luca Schwarzbauer (Lexware) could not keep up at first, and all three riders fell several times. However, Marcel Meisen's high pace took its toll. From halfway through the race, the German champion in racing bikes and cyclocross seemed to be losing his strength. The direct pursuers Max Brandl and Manuel Fumic increased the pace in the fourth of five laps. The 23-year-old Max Brandl then overtook Marcel Meisen at the beginning of the final lap and won with a lead of 34 seconds. Manuel Fumic finished third, 1:34 minutes behind the winner.