PROTECTIVE Factory Team @Giro Sardegna Gravel

Giro Sardegna Gravel: PROTECTIVE Factory Gravel Team Makes a Good Impression

Sun, gravel and strong legs: At the Giro Sardegna Gravel in Sardinia, the PROTECTIVE Factory Gravel Team put in a great race and collected valuable experience as well as UCI points.

Lea Kremsreiter, Tim Wollenberg, Luca Dressler and Andreas Schrottenbaum took on the challenge of a 120 kilometre course with 1,600 metres of climbing and many technical difficulties. Even the first kilometres on the coast were a real challenge: deep holes, hidden stones and puddles caused a quick selection in the field.

Tim Wollenberg Sprints to Victory

The pace was high from the start. Shortly after the start a lead group formed, with Tim Wollenberg at the front together with the two Speed Company Racing riders, Georg Egger and Lukas Baum. After about 70 kilometres Egger had bad luck with a mechanical and Tim was left riding with Lukas only. Tim cleverly relied on his sprinting strength, and it paid off: in a gripping finale he took his first UCI Gravel World Series victory. A great success for Tim and the whole team!

Strong Teamwork from Luca and Andreas

Behind the front, Luca Dressler and Andreas Schrottenbaum rode smartly. After Tim had gone to the front, the two initially held back in the chasing group and did not join any attacks, so as not to strengthen Tim’s pursuers. In the last third of the race Luca and Andreas then got going: both were able to break away from the group and finished the race in a great 4th and 5th place in the elite ranking. With an average of 32 km/h over the demanding course, both showed an impressive performance.

Lea Kremsreiter: A Fighter in Sardinia

Unfortunately the race did not go ideally for Lea Kremsreiter: after only five minutes she had a tyre puncture and lost the group as a result. Despite this setback she did not give up and bravely fought her way to the finish, alone against wind, terrain and strong competitors. Even though her form can still improve, Lea collected valuable UCI points and shows that she is ready to keep fighting in the next races.

Conclusion: With a win for Tim, two top 5 placings from Luca and Andreas and Lea’s fighting spirit, the appearance of the PROTECTIVE Factory Gravel Team at the Giro Sardegna Gravel was a complete success. And all three men reached the qualification standard for the elite World Championships with their performances!