#4 UCI World Series Val di Sole

The Cube Next Generation XC Team traveled to Italy for the fourth round of the UCI World Series. In Trentino, more precisely in Val di Sole, everything was at stake for the team around Team Manager Sam Weber. The world's best cross-country mountain bikers came again for the fourth run and it was time to prove themselves against them once again.

Kira Böhm, who is currently in excellent form, started again in the XCC short track on Thursdays before the actual cross-country competitions. As fifth overall in the short track, one could expect another top placement from the Weilheim native. The pace was high right from the start, and the many spectators were able to follow an exciting race. The young rider of the Cube Next Gen XC Team was always in the top 10 and held her own against the best riders in the world in her age group. Towards the end of the race, she lost touch with the competition a bit, but remained in the top 10. In the end, Kira Böhm was at her limits, her body didn't keep up as she wanted and it was a big fight. She showed a fighting spirit that she can withstand even the greatest pain and ended up crossing the finish line in ninth place. Completely exhausted, Kira Böhm crossed the finish line and after a short time, despite a little melancholy for a better placement, she was happy about her success.

Unfortunately, Sunday didn't start at 8:30 a.m. as usual. Kira Böhm was unable to start the race overnight due to severe stomach cramps. Lars Gräter did not fare well in the U23 men either, the signs of a successful day had disappeared from one moment to the next. "We don't know what it was, but we all had some problems. Maybe we caught something bad in the food, otherwise I couldn't imagine such an extent over several drivers,” says Team Manager Sam Weber. In the men's U23 race, Lars Gräter started, but ended the race after two laps due to the problems mentioned. On the other hand, Fabian Eder got off to a good start, he quickly made it into the top 60 and was keen to catch up with other drivers.

Towards the middle of the race, the young Bavarian was still in the top 60 and had a hard time struggling with the course and his body. It didn't get any better towards the end of the race either, he crossed the finish line in 70th place. I don't get into the red zone in the race, I can't call up my performance. I'll have a check-up now." said Töginger after the race.

All further hopes now rested on Böbinger Sven Straehle, who was allowed to start in the elite men's class in the midday heat. He felt good, started quickly and was able to move forward into the regions of the declared goal on the first lap. He was in the top 60 in the world, put in a strong performance. “I was surprised that Sven was so far ahead on the first lap, from his starting position. But I was happy and I hoped that everything would go well today,” says Sam Weber about Sven Straehle's first laps in Val di Sole.

Midway through the race, the 28-year-old was still in the top 60 before losing some ground. You could see Sven Straehle's pain and unfortunately he lost a few positions lap after lap. In the end he was able to cover the full distance, but did not finish higher than 78th place.