For cyclist Rick Zabel, the route profile of the road race at the German Championships in Sauerland on Sunday is a bit too much of a good thing, despite local ties.
“You can easily get to over 3000 meters in altitude. My heart says yes to a start, but realistically it doesn’t make any sense for me sportingly. I’m just too heavy for that,” said the 28-year-old Cologne native of the “Westfalenpost” and added : “These are altitude meters like a tough Tour de France mountain stage.”
The professional from the Israeli Israel PremierTech team would have to tackle the 189-kilometer ride from Arnsberg-Neheim to the Kahler Asten at an altitude of 838 meters as a single starter. “If I don’t get another flash of inspiration, I won’t start in the German championships,” explained Zabel. The son of former top sprinter Erik Zabel knows the Sauerland from numerous training rides.
For two days at the Giro d’Italia in May, Zabel wore the blue jersey of the best climber, which he had won on the second stage of the time trial in Budapest. However, after the mountain finish on Mount Etna on the fourth day, Zabel had to give the jersey to his compatriot and stage winner Pass it on to Lennard Kämna.