Kupfernagel wins German ‘cross title
- By VeloNews.com
- Published Jan. 10, 2009
Hanka Kupfernagel (Itarea-Stevens) won her eighth German national cyclocross title on Saturday, confirming her position as one of the favorites heading into this month’s world championship in Holland.
The 34-year-old Kupfernagel, the reigning world champion, scored her win ahead of 18-year-old Sabrina Schweizer in the cold and wintery conditions that have swept across Europe in recent days.
“The cold was an extra challenge, especially since I chose the wrong gloves,” Kupfernagel said. “I really wanted to arrive in Hoogerheide as national champion. It gives me a lot of confidence for worlds.”
Kupfernagel has earned four world cyclocross titles over her career (2000, 2001, 2005 and 2008), as well as the 2007 worl time trial championship.
The German champion is among those favored to win the world title but is expected to face strong challenges from American champion Katie Compton and Holland’s Daphny van den Brand, both of whom have performed consistently well in this season’s UCI World Cup series.
Earlier in the day, 15-year-old Felix Rieckmann beat a strong field in the junior’s race. Rieckmann, who turns 16 on Monday, will lead the German contingent in the junior’s race in Hoogerheide.
The German championships – along with other European nationals – continue with the elite men’s race on Sunday.
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FILED UNDER: Cyclocross