In the chaos race, Seewald shows

muscles and nerves of steel

Created: 06/08/2022Updated: 06/08/2022, 23:00

By: Wolfgang Stauner

Double victory for Canyon Northwave: Andreas Seewald (center) wins in Jelenia Gora ahead of teammate Petr Vakoc (left) and Texpa Simplon driver Jakob Hartmann.

Photo: private © private

For a short time, Andreas Seewald even thought of giving up during the chaos race in Jelenia Gora, Poland.

But then the marathon world champion from Lenggries showed nerves of steel and achieved a surprise victory at the marathon world cup at the foot of the Giant Mountains.

Jelenia Gora/Lenggries – Reinforced by a five-day high-altitude training camp in Silvaplana in the Upper Engadine, Andreas Seewald traveled to the foot of the Giant Mountains.

In Jelenia Gora, Poland, the world cycling association UCI had announced a race in the Marathon Series.

The experiences from last September were not the worst: Seewald came third, a week later won the World Championships on Elba and at the end of the season the overall ranking of the Marathon Series.

Overtaking with a crowbar - a nightmare.”

Andreas Seewald, MTB World Champion

But this year the 30-year-old Lenggrieser not only needed muscles made of steel, but also nerves of steel.

The organizers had the curious idea of ​​sending the amateur riders along the 89-kilometer route (1,685 m altitude) an hour after the start of the elite.

No problem with a long lap, but the course in Jelenia Gora consisted of a 30-kilometer circuit that had to be completed twice, plus a few kilometers back to the finish.

When the elite tackled the second loop, the large field of hobby bikers was on the first loop.

"So we professionals had to go through the entire amateur field," reports Seewald of the chaotic conditions.

“There were always ugly scenes on the actually beautiful single trails.

Some have made themselves extra wide, so that overtaking was only possible with a crowbar.

Project with priority: defending the European title

Nevertheless, the world and European champion kept finding gaps to scurry past the slow amateur riders.

It was a nail-biter nonetheless, because two weeks before the European Championships – on June 19 in the Czech town of Jablonne v Podjestedí – Seewald didn't want to risk a fall.

"The title defense project has top priority," said Seewald.

"I had even considered leaving at short notice."

But by then he had already fought his way back into the top group.

Since Martin Stosek – Seewald's colleague in the Canyon Northwave team, doubles partner in stage races and last year's winner on top of that – was two minutes ahead, the Isarwinkler wanted to move up to second place;

complete the double win.

An irresistible start on the only steep climb 20 kilometers from the finish, and the competition had to give up.

"At least the attack was successful."

Team mate Martin Stosek unlucky with a fall

The Lenggrieser only noticed at the finish that another drama was taking place at the top.

On the last descent, last year's winner Stosek avoided a hiker and sailed into botany.

Here, too, the route was not properly cordoned off and monitored by marshals.

Seewald therefore found little joy in his victory.

As it turned out, his teammate Martin Stosek had broken his shoulder.

“Maybe he can race again in August.

But you have to ask yourself what the UCI commissaires are actually there for when such a chaotic race results,” the winner summed up (3:24:55 hours).

In the end it was enough for Canyon Northwave to win twice: The Czech Petr Vakoc finished 2:11 minutes after Seewald.

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