Lead group takes the wrong turn
Buchmann inspires Jan Ullrich with championship title
06/25/2023, 7:25 p.m
Former Tour de France fourth Emanuel Buchmann wins the German road cycling championship for the second time. A good week before the start of the Tour of France, the 30-year-old is in good shape and wins after a confident solo drive – in front of Jan Ullrich.
Emanuel Buchmann spread his arms before the finish line, then happily clapped his hands on his supervisors in the support vehicle. After a long, exhausting solo, the professional cyclist from the German top team Bora-hansgrohe secured his second title in the road race after 2015 at the German championships.
Buchmann confidently asserted himself in front of Jan Ullrich on the demanding course over 215 km between Donaueschingen and Bad Dürrheim in the Black Forest and proved his strong form before the upcoming Tour de France (July 1st to 23rd). His lead over teammates Nico Denz and Maximilian Schachmann was 1:03 minutes. This means that Buchmann can wear the coveted championship jersey with the black, red and gold chest ring in front of an audience of millions during the Tour of France. Four years ago, the Ravensburger placed fourth in the overall standings, which was the best result for a German since Andreas Klöden’s second place in 2006. This year, Buchmann is in demand as a noble helper, especially in the mountains.
Leading group follows TV-Motorrad on the wrong track
A curiosity occurred on the first of the eight laps. The lead group followed a TV bike that left the official route and consequently took a wrong turn. After a detour, the drivers were reintegrated into the main field at the next aid station. After the brief confusion, the top riders pushed the pace. At the end of the second lap, a group of three led by Buchmann and teammate Jonas Koch pulled away. A little later only the Bora duo remained, about 60 km from the finish Buchmann then shook off Koch.
After almost five hours at the front, Buchmann crossed the finish line in Bad Dürrheim to great jubilation. The German championships had returned to the spa town after 22 years. At that time, a certain Jan Ullrich had won the last championship title of his career in a road race. The 1997 Tour winner was there as a spectator this time.
On Saturday, Liane Lippert successfully defended her title in the women’s competition. The 25-year-old from Friedrichshafen prevailed after 135 km as a soloist. For the Vice European Champion of 2021, it is the third national championship title of her career after 2018 and the previous year. Lippert’s lead over second-placed Kathrin Hammes (Cologne) was 1:07 minutes, Romy Kasper (+1:13 / Forst) completed the podium. As with the first edition last year, Lippert is wearing the championship jersey at the Tour de France Femmes (July 23rd to 30th), she has already been nominated. In the individual time trial on Friday, Mieke Kröger secured her second German title after 2015 in a fight against the clock. Lippert had decided not to start. In the men’s category, Nils Politt took the title from his Bora teammate Lennard Kämna.