At the halfway point of the UCI Artistic Cycling World Cup, Germany dominated proceedings in the Austrian town of Hohenems.
Only athletes from Switzerland (in the Pairs Women and ACT 4) and Spain (in the Single Men) prevented the German athletes from taking a clean sweep of all five podiums at the second of three rounds of this year’s UCI World Cup.
ACT 4: high scoring from the world record holders
The 2021 UCI World Champions from RV Mainz-Ebersheim had a near perfect day in the ACT 4 Open category. Germans Tijem Karatas, Annika Rosenbach, Stella Rosenbach and Milena Schwarz lived up to all expectations to score 242.16 points, only just falling short of their own world record, set last year.
Coach Oliver Schwarz attributed their very good performance to the optimal conditions: “The UCI World Cup was superbly organised, everything worked out. And our performance then adapted to that.”
The quartet, who had to make to with silver at last year’s UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland (United Kingdom), take the lead in the UCI Artistic Cycling World Cup ranking. With 222.19 points, Alina Bötzer, Carolin Schmid, Franziska Bötzer and Sabrina Bürssner (RMSV Aach/ GER) came second, to make a German 1-2.
The winners of the first UCI World Cup round, Stefanie Haas, Valerie Unternährer, Selina Niedermann and Sarah Manser (Uzwil/ SUI), were third, while the reigning UCI World Champions Flavia Schürmann, Carole Ledergerber, Stefanie Moos and Vanessa Hotz (Kunstrad Baar/ SUI) had to settle for fourth place.
Men singles: Kohl focussed from the start
The multiple UCI World Champion Lukas Kohl (RMSV Kirchehrenbach/ GER) is still in a league of his own and remains unbeaten in the Single Men since his first UCI World Cup victory in 2016. With 213.38 points, he made another statement: “I was in focus from the start.”
Kohl collected bonus points with the turning jump seven turns and several rotations while standing on the handlebars, staying within the five-minute limit.
Behind him were the Spaniard Emilio Arellano (RV Oberjesingen - 192.64 points) in second, ahead of 2023 UCI World Championships silver medalist Philipp-Thies Rapp (RSV Tailfingen/GER - 191.68) and Simon Köcher (RSV Öschelbronn/GER - 186.37).
Pairs Open: Kreuzmann/ Stapf go top
In the Pairs Open category, UCI World Champions Max Hanselmann/Serafin Schefold (RV Öhringen/GER) had to cancel at short notice due to injury. Niklas Kreuzmann/Celina Stapf (RV Soden 1921 e.V /GER), second in the first UCI World Cup round, took third place in the daily ranking, moving to the top of the UCI World Cup standings. “That was completely unexpected for us,” said Stapf.
It was Nico Rödiger and Lea Styber (RSV Langenselbold/GER) who won the day. The 2023 UCI World Championships silver medalists demonstrated that a previous injury was behind them, scoring 157.12 points. The Junior duo Jonas Mächtig/Simon Riedinger (RKV Ilsfeld/GER) were delighted to take second place in their UCI World Cup debut. With 136.06 points, they were well ahead of another Kreuzmann/Stapf on 117.33 points.
Single Women: German clean sweep
Jana Pfann (RKB Bruckmühl/GER) showed the strongest freestyle with 189.01 points in the Single Women competition. Her clubmate Ramona Dandl came in second. The UCI World Champion did not perform the saddle handlebar handstand, but showed the six-fold twist jump and scored 184.45 points. Lara Füller (RKV Poppenweiler/GER - 183.71) followed closely behind.
For local Lorena Schneider (RC Höchst/AUT) it was just not enough to get a place on the podium. The 2023 UCI World Championships bronze medalist had to settle for fourth place with 180.06 points.
Pairs Women: Knetterheide duo on song
Kim Leah Schlüter and Neele Jodeleit (RSV Knetterheide) took a surprise victory in the Pairs Women competition. The Germans put in a strong performance, enabling them to celebrate the day's victory – with 128.51 points – and take the lead in the UCI World Cup overall standings. The previous leaders and favourites Henny Kirst/Antonia Bärk (RSF Bonn-Duisdorf/GER - 107.7) had a tough day and, after a few falls, finished in fourth place.
Last year's winners of the UCI World Cup, Annice Niedermayer and Jessie Hasmüller (Denkendorf-Magstadt/ GER - 118.22), came second, just ahead of the Swiss pair Larissa Tanner/Simona Lucca (Stäfa-Dürnten - 117.5).
What’s next?
The third round of the 2024 UCI World Cup will take place in Hong Kong on 11 August. Focus will then turn to the UCI World Championships, which will be held in Bremen, Germany, in October.