The weather made the worst-case-scenario true at the very first SloEnduro event in Austria, the atmosphere stayed bright though.
Pouring rain made for an unpleasant uphill
Lightning strikes and rain in apocalyptical extent resulted in a gondola halt and a shortened track. The weather was all but kind, the mood still stayed good. The favorites Petra Bernhard and Daniel Schemmel secured victories at the Schöckl in the worst conditions possible.
Time to hang on for trail builder Michi Gölles / The struggle was real
Anticipation was high for the enduro premiere at the Schöckl. Starting places were taken long before the event. 150 men and women were looking forward to race at the only SloEnduro stop in Austria. Come raceday, the weather tried hard to wash away all anticipation. Changing conditions in training made for a challenging, slippery track. Just in time for the planned race start, it even got darker. Pouring rain and lightning strikes forced the cable car to stop operating and the organizers to take on plan B. Stage 1 and 2 were cancelled, instead of a gondola lift, riders had to pedal 350 vertical meters.
Slippery when wet was the motto
Even in thunder and soaking wet conditions, riders and spectators kept their spirits high. They rocked the remaining two stages – including the spectator-friendly „Gigasport special stage“ in the finish area – as if there was no tomorrow. Weather-resistant fans cheered on the mud-covered riders down the entire track.
Still all smiles at the finish / Unique Enduro Gradec trophies
It took Daniel Schemmel, junior enduro European champion (CUBE Action Team) less than three minutes to take the win in front of Matthias Stonig (+3,87s, MS Mondraker) and Mario Schneeweiss (+5,55s, Radsport Schmuck). Petra Bernhard (RC Gravity Eagles Austria), who has just taken up enduro racing last weekend, secured her second win in the second race. She was followed by Kathrin Wutte (RC Andasbiken) and Yana Dobnig (RLM Mondraker Racing Team). Master 1 category was ruled by co-organiser Bernd Dorrong (Radlager Racing Divison), Master 2 went to Cri Maierhofer (Radlager) and Leopold Köllner took the win in the hobby class.
Women’s podium: 1) Petra Bernhard, 2) Kathrin Wutte, 3) Yana Dobnig / Men’s podium: 1) Daniel Schemmel, 2) Matthias Stonig, 3) Mario Schneeweiss
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Results: lines-mag.at
Website: enduro-gradec.at
Photos: Klemens Koenig klemenskoenig.at