The German track cyclists won double gold at the European Championships in Munich. First, the four snatched victory in the team pursuit. A little later, the team sprinters did the same.
The trio with Emma Hinze, Pauline Sophie Grabosch and Lea Sophie Friedrich confidently beat the Netherlands, which had been ahead at the EM 2021, in the oval of the Munich Exhibition Center. The Olympic silver medalists in Tokyo 2021 thus confirmed their role as favorites. Third was Poland. Grabosch said: “It was a super team effort, we were able to adjust well to the internationally unusual 200-meter track. It was very nice, it can continue like this.” Friedrich reported: “We were able to practice the changes again on a short track in Augsburg. That paid off.”
World champion Emma Hinze drove with a lot of support: “My family and friends are there, as well as my old class teacher and my manager. When you know that everyone is watching you who might otherwise only be able to sit in front of the television, it’s definitely one big motivation.” Hinze also starts in the keirin and already on Saturday in the 500 meter time trial. As at the 2020 World Cup in Berlin, the Cottbus woman could wear gold three times.
Four overtakes Italy and triumphs
The foursome had previously caused great joy and emotional moments. The Olympic champions Lisa Brennauer, Franziska Brausse, Mieke Kröger and Lisa Klein secured gold after a gripping final run against Italy. The quartet, named German “Team of the Year” in 2021, caught up and won in a heartbeat final. Bronze went to France.
Lisa Brennauer, who will end her career after the championships, told ARD: “We’re so happy. The audience cheered us on, it was a great atmosphere, I couldn’t have imagined it better.” Lisa Klein, who previously had to overcome a corona disease, described her thoughts: “Oh, oh, this will be the longest race of my life. I don’t even know how I made it to the finish. But we made it, we did managed.”
Brennauer: “That doesn’t make the exit any easier”
Mieke Kröger, who again set a lot of pace, talked about the deficit at the beginning: “I just saw our national coach freak out, and I then interpreted that: ‘Drive faster!'”. Franziska Brauße said about the role of Brennauer (34): “We have a very special mix of fun and seriousness. Lisa holds the shop together. She always passes on her experience. She will be missed a lot.” “That’s really nice to hear, it doesn’t make the exit any easier. Thank you for the great time with you,” answered Brennauer.
Men’s four misses bronze
For the men, the German team went empty-handed in the battle for bronze in the team pursuit. Tobias Buck-Gramcko, Nicolas Heinrich, Theo Reinhardt and Leon Rohde lost to Great Britain. Fourth place is still a good performance for the outsider. France secured the European title ahead of Denmark.
Men’s sprint team in fifth place
In the men’s team sprint, Germany took fifth place with Maximilian Dörnbach, Nik Schröter and Marc Jurczyk. Gold went to favorites Netherlands, who defeated France in the final. Great Britain took bronze.
Evil fall of Britain
Team Great Britain experienced a nasty fall in the women’s team sprint. Sophie Capewell and Emma Finucane collided on the straight after the first lap of their three-lap race. Both riders hit the barrier hard, but eventually managed to get off the track under their own steam, to the relief of the spectators, who gave them a loud round of applause.
Scratch: Teutenberg misses top ten
In the non-Olympic women’s scratch race over ten kilometers, Lea Lin Teutenberg in 15th place clearly missed out on the medals. Norway’s Anita Steinberg won ahead of Jessica Roberts (Great Britain) and Nikola Wielowska (Poland).
Points race: Kluge just missed the podium
In the men’s points race over 40 kilometers, Roger Kluge just missed the podium. The man from Eisenhüttenstadt scored 104 points, which meant fourth place. Frenchman Benjamin Thomas was able to celebrate again. After triumphing in the team pursuit, the favorite also prevailed in the points race with 135 points. Behind them were Robbe Ghys (Belgium/123 points) and Vincent Hoppezak (Netherlands/113 points).
