Simon Gegenheimer puts massive home crowds on fire in Aalen!

Aalen has made an unforgettable entry in the UCI World Cup. Seems like each and every citizen of the home town of UCI World Champion Simon Gegenheimer came up to cheer for their hero. Streets were packed, people went crazy, ears of the participants will be ringing for days.

Home favourite Gegenheimer had a slow start into the race however, finishing second to last in the qualifying time trials after a crash. Only an ‘accident du parcours’, it seemed in the end: although having to battle with four-times UCI World Champion Titouan Perrin-Ganier in each and every heat, Gegenheimer made it to the big finals, in which Perrin-Ganier showed to be the toughest opponent once again.

In a tight sprint, a bike throw secured Gegenheimer the win, setting his home crowd on fire and expanding his lead in the UCI World Cup. Perrin-Ganier and his fellow Frenchman Quentin Schrotzenberger finished second and third, while young Stephan Mayer and Felix Klausmann made the German success complete with places 4 and 5.

“What a crowd”, Simon Gegenheimer enjoyed one of the biggest moments in his career. “All these people, they pushed me to the win. This win is for them. Maybe I was even a bit too motivated. I was a bit out of focus in the time trial. So much people, all cheering for me … In the end, the crash there maybe even helped. In the race for the win, I knew the final straight was long. I waited and waited for the finish. Waiting for my moment. It was hard, I only changed the race in the last meter, but I made it!”

“This one was very tough, since I was not feeling very well before the semi finals”, birthday girl Gaia Tormena explained. “Luckily, the feeling started to become better and better from then on. I’m super happy to win here, in Aalen, with these amazing crowds. The people were just incredible. This is the kind of show we like to see!”