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Fontana and Engen win the Münsingen Sprint Cup
The first sprint race of the season in Münsingen was driven on April 16, 2011. In the German Mountain bike Bundesliga, there’s already a longer sprint race held and now that the UCI made this discipline a required number at the World Cups, the format is very successful in Münsingen. There were more than 90 riders at the start. Only the fastest 30 riders from the qualifying round were allowed to proceed to the elimination race.
Marco Fontana and Alexandra Engen won the sprint crown in Münsingen. Fontana won the race ahead of Matt Pfrommer and Julian Schelb. Alexandra Engen beat Elisabeth Sveum and Kathrin Stirnemann.
"It was a very difficult race. Other sprint competitions are usually ridden on asphalt tracks. In that case one can use the slipstream of the preceding rider to gain speed. Here, in this race, it wasn’t possible," said Fontana after the Sprint Cup Centurion.
In the finals, the Italian was the first to past the initial corner of the race, landing comfortably in the lead. He managed to hold on it till the finish. The real battle was fought for the other podium places. The 18-year-old Julian Schelb had a bad start, but eventually, he won the third place after a tough battle against Matthias Pfrommer and Jochen Kass. It’s impressive that the 18 year old rider was able to win a third place in his first sprint race ever.
"I am very happy that I won the race," said an enthusiastic Fontana. Pfrommer, was very pleased with his second place. “I almost caught up with Fontana in the penultimate lap, but eventually, it all turn out ok,” said the German.
Julian Schelb was very happy at the finish: "This is super fun! Driving in the finals alongside such world class riders is really interesting. The fight for the podium was great!”
Manuel Fumic and Jochen Kass got stuck together in a corner where they both lost their chances to get the victory. "Such things happen sometimes. I'm a big fan of this format. The young have no respect for the old guard and that's good," said Fumic, who finished in fifth. Kass was less satisfied on the matter, "there are plenty of other opportunities to pass by on this course," he said in a bitter tone.
His teammate and defending champion Ralph Näf had his chain slip off in the semifinals and lost his chances to compete in the finals.
Awesome Sprint for Alexandra Engen
The unstoppable Swedish rider Alexandra Engen dominated the female’s competition. She took the lead from the start and maintained it till the end of the race. "I enjoy the Sprint and this motivation is probably an added bonus." said Engen after winning her third consecutive sprint in Münsingen. The U23 world champion from the Rothaus Poisen Bikes team this time had a much stronger opposition.
Same as in the men’s race, many young riders competed in the women’s race. Somewhat unexpected second and third place were Elisabeth Sveum and Kathrin Stirnemann.
Full results on www.datasport.com
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