PROTECTIVE Factory Team @Szklarska Poręba – Jakuszyce
Podium, Comeback and Fighting Spirit
At the UCI Gravel World Series race in Poland, the PROTECTIVE Factory Team celebrated another podium place.
On 7 June, the UCI Gravel World Series stopped in Jakuszyce, Poland. The course covered 120 kilometres and 2,400 metres of climbing through the rugged terrain of the Polish Giant Mountains. It demanded everything from the riders of the PROTECTIVE Factory Team: long climbs, stony gravel sections and technical descents that turned into a slippery slide when the heavy rain set in.
Theresa Rindler-Bachl achieved her best result of the season so far: with third place she rode onto a UCI podium for the first time this year and secured her World Championships qualification at the same time. After a fast, intense start she positioned herself cleverly in the lead group. Especially in the technical sections she made the most of her riding skills and kept moving to the front. “Even though my legs were rather average, tactically it went perfectly. The rain from halfway made everything much harder again, so it was all the nicer to get through without a puncture,” Theresa said, satisfied. Her conclusion: an intense race that shows her form is clearly heading upwards again.
Luca Dressler once again delivered a strong performance, even though the race asked a lot of him. Early on he established himself in a lead group of eight and even went solo off the front for a short time. Then came the setback: on a descent after about 40 kilometres his rear tyre went. Despite a frantic repair with a plug and cartridge, the group was gone. What followed was an impressive chase. Together with another rider who had also suffered a puncture, Luca fought his way back position by position. In the end it was 9th place. “I was riding strongly. Without the puncture, a place in the top 5 would even have been possible,” said Luca self-critically. His data confirms it: his riding time would have been enough for 4th place.
Lea Kremsreiter had to deal with a setback early in the race: a brake lever that had come loose forced her to stop at kilometre 40, and the lead group was gone. Even in the feed zone at kilometre 60 she could not fix the problem and had to ride most of the rest of the race in the drops. “Somehow it worked anyway,” said Lea with a wink. The heavy rain from kilometre 80 turned the technically difficult descents into a challenge. “At times I could hardly see anything, the dirt flew under my glasses, but that was somehow the adventure today.” Despite the obstacles she rode on strong legs to 8th place, another top 10 result that gives encouragement for the coming races.
Andreas Schrottenbaum, who was taking part in this race for the third time, was experienced and focused. Until kilometre 45 he stayed in the lead group and played an active part in the race. On the longest climb he then had to let go and spent the last hour of the race alone in pouring rain. Three minor dropped chains slowed him briefly but could not spoil the positive overall impression. “I am happy with 14th place, above all because I could ride almost an hour and a half in the lead group and the equipment held up despite the conditions,” said Andi. He was particularly pleased with his tyre choice, Schwalbe Pro One R at the front and Pro One RS at the rear, which also proved itself in the wet.
