2018 eBike Desert Challenge
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A new event, competition and adventure that is the E-Bike Desert Challenge.
Uzina Canyon, a dry river course deeply buried in the gypsum plain, was the set of the big finale of this great event. Steep walls make it almost impossible to leave the canyon again. The canyon is embedded in a risky plain of small hills, like an endless halfpipe. An eldorado for mountain biking. Thanks to the electric warranty a 40 km long downhill with free choice of tracks, the enthusiasm was written all over the participants’ faces.
On the first stage, there was a head-to-head race between the leader Robert Adams (GBR) and two pursuers Lutz von Steynitz (GER) and Moritz Peter(GER) all three riders on Haibike. Only a few seconds separated the three as they reached the battery change station. In the second section, Lutz von Steynitz took the lead. After a thrilling competition, he had an 8-minute lead over Moritz Peter and the goal, which was again won by a margin of 2 minutes by Robert Adams. But this did not change the overall ranking. Robert Adamswon the overall standings with half an hour ahead of Lutz von Steynitz. With this time, the Haibike pilot was even faster than the winners of the two open classes.
In the Bike 45 class Arnaud Jacquart (FRA/RUS) was able to win again the day’s victory and thus the overall classification. Double success for Arnaud, who won this class on the e-bike of his start-up company, an e-bike concept which can also be transported by plane.
In the Bike Open class Benedikt Baum (GER) won the first stage again with a big advantage. But just 10 kilometres before the finish his engine broke down and he had to cover the last distance with muscle power. Fortunately for him, that didn’t change the overall standings. Benedikt Baum won the race clearly ahead of the Russian Michael Sivak.
To sum up, it was an ingenious event which in the next few years will develop into the highlight in the newly developing e-bike sport.
