DAY 1
However, the team of SHC Meltewitz did not let this upset them. Weeks of preparation, construction and optimisation – and just in time for the weekend, the club presented a small but extremely high-quality Sprint Enduro lap with two demanding special stages for around 200 riders. On Friday, the weather gods suddenly meant well with the organizers after all. Dry conditions and light winds ensured that the track dried surprisingly quickly. Although there were still a few puddles waiting for drivers in the morning, the overall conditions were almost perfect.
The rain of the previous days had given the ground just the right amount of moisture: a lot of traction, no dust and still technically demanding – typical Meltewitz. Especially the many roots, stony ascents and rocky passages demanded the highest concentration from the riders. The lap itself had a driving time of around 35 minutes, including the two special stages. The heart of the event was once again the well-known Enduro test on the SHC grounds, which many riders already knew from previous years or the events around Dahlen. For this DEM weekend, the test has been adapted and optimised again – and rarely has there been so much positive feedback on a stage in the paddock as this weekend. Technique, speed, flowing passages and demanding sections harmonized perfectly with each other.
With a riding time of just over five minutes, the enduro test offered exactly what modern sprint enduro is all about. As a counterpart, a shorter, but technically extremely demanding test awaited directly at the paddock. Especially in the rear area, the stony ground reminded many riders of classic Spanish World Championship stages.
Punctually at 8 a.m., the German Enduro Cup started the race day. The drivers had to complete a total of five laps. It was noticeable that numerous familiar faces from other classes had also found their way to Meltewitz. Although there was no separate classification for seniors or ladies, many riders used the event as a perfect training opportunity and for important race kilometers.
Janik Koßack wins exciting exchange!
In the German Enduro Cup, an exciting battle at the top developed throughout the day. In the end, Janik prevailed. The Beta driver showed an impressive performance and improved from lap to lap. With a broad grin, he rolled into the parc fermé after five completed laps and was able to celebrate the day’s victory.
However, this success was by no means given to him. Jonathan Peter put enormous pressure on the whole day and fought a thrilling duel with Koßack for the lead. Both drivers became faster and faster on the special stages and pushed the times down lap by lap. It is precisely such close duels that make sprint enduro so special – intense, direct and open until the last stage. Third place went to the young Paul Hempel. After a somewhat more difficult start to the day, he found his rhythm better and better and improved continuously. In the end, he was not only able to celebrate third place in the overall standings, but also victory in the E3B class.
Jeremy Sydow is in a league of his own again!
After the lunch break, the focus was on the German Enduro Championship. The big question before the race was: How fit is Jeremy Sydow? The Triumph rider had broken his metatarsal in a training crash before the first World Championship round and had to take a break afterwards. He only returned for the second WRC round in Spain – and he was also on the grid again in Meltewitz. Despite the injury, it quickly became clear: Jeremy Sydow currently remains the measure of all things in German enduro sport.
At the beginning of the day, the driver from the Offroadshop Kölbach Racing Team still had a bit of a hard time. Especially in the first round, Sydow visibly struggled with arm pump. But with each lap, the Triumph driver became stronger and better and found his flow better and better. The result: best time after best time in the special stages.
His toughest competitor Luca Fischeder was initially able to keep up with the pace and even won individual tests. But Fischeder also had problems with Arm Pump during the day. In addition, his brake disc bent in an enduro test, which meant that he had to complete a complete test with almost no rear brake. After that, the rhythm was lost. Two unnecessary crashes on the last lap cost additional time.
Nevertheless, Luca brought home second place confidently. For the second day of racing, it should be clear what needs to be worked on: fewer mistakes and reduce the gap to Sydow. But on Saturday, there was once again no way around Jeremy Sydow. With a lead of over 42 seconds after a total of eleven special stages, he celebrated not only the victory in his class, but also the overall victory of the day. The current form of the Triumph driver is impressive – and also in Meltewitz it seemed at times as if Sydow was currently riding in his own league.
Third place was secured by Matyas Chlum, as he did at the season opener. The Czech also struggled with the conditions at first, but worked his way into the track better and better as the day progressed. Despite a crash, in which fortunately nothing happened, he was able to celebrate another podium finish in the evening.
This means that the first day of racing in Meltewitz is history – and the Sprint Enduro classic has already delivered on Saturday. Demanding stages, close duels, perfect ground conditions and strong performances provided the best advertising for the German Enduro sport.
The weather forecast promises even better conditions for Sunday. Although the track has already suffered a lot, that should make the second day of racing even more exciting.
DAY 2
Sydow remains the reference – Fischeder fights, Chlum again consistently on the podium
In the afternoon, all eyes were once again on the German Enduro Championship – and thus again on Jeremy Sydow. After the Triumph driver was already able to dominate on Saturday, the fight for the day’s victory initially developed much closer this time.
Luca Fischeder got off to a strong start to the race day and kept up Sydow’s pace over the first two laps. Just one second separated the two top drivers at this point. It actually looked shortly as if a real fight for the overall victory could develop this time.
But then bad luck struck Luca again. A crash cost him important time and threw him out of rhythm. After that, Jeremy was able to continuously extend his lead and increasingly controlled the race.
Nevertheless, Luca impressively showed that he can absolutely keep up with Jeremy’s pace on a good day. In the end, he brought second place to the finish line confidently, even if the gap became too big after the crash.
Matyas Chlum from the Czech Republic again finished in third place. At the beginning of the day, the Czech was still struggling slightly with the consequences of his crash on Saturday, but worked his way into the race day better and better and was able to improve significantly over the course of the day. Especially in the second half of the day, Matyas showed strong times again and once again deservedly secured a place on the podium.
Quelle / Source / Pictures / Bilder: Enduro DEM
