Marion Fromberger and Simon Gegenheimer manage to win bronze at the World Championships in front of 15,000 cheering spectators. In the end, the southern German city of Aalen celebrates not only its two medal winners, but a festival of cycling.
When the Dutch anthem sounds on the Aalen market square at the award ceremony for the Mountain Bike World Championship, Simon Gegenheimer looks petrified at the new world champion Jeroen van Eck. He actually wanted to be at the top at his home World Champs, but Gegenheimer can live with the result and is happy about his place at the award ceremony. “The medal shines but it doesn’t shine like gold. That's why I'm so half-satisfied. I was missing my balls at the start of the final,” reports the 35-year-old. The German didn't get off well at the start and subsequently had to fight several duels with former European champion Jakob Klemencic (SLO). This cost energy and also caused the new world champion Jeroen van Eck to escape.
Marion Fromberger was also a medal candidate in the women's race. And the 23-year-old also made it onto the winner's podium. A strong result for Fromberger. “The medal with the rainbow was the goal and I achieved it. As a racing rider, of course, deep down in your heart you want to win every race, but I am satisfied and was able to experience this great moment of a World Championships award ceremony for a second time,” said German champion Marion Fromberger. In the final it was her long- term Italian rival Gaia Tormena who was able to prevail and pull away from the start. In the end, Fromberger sprinted for the medals with her German colleague Lia Schrievers and made it to bronze.
The team boss is also satisfied with the performance of his athletes and even more so with the impression they have left in his hometown. “I am happy that Marion and Simon were able to experience this great moment at the award ceremony. They worked hard all year long and made the dream of the award ceremony possible for their country and the thousands of spectators along the route. I am very proud to have such people and personalities in my Racingteam,” said the team captain.
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