The German cyclist Emil Herzog became junior world champion in road racing at the title fights in Australia.
After 135.6 kilometers in Wollongong, the 17-year-old relegated the Portuguese Antonio Morgado to second place in the final sprint. Herzog had already won the bronze medal in the time trial. Third place went to Belgian Vlad van Mechelen.
Eight years after Jonas Bokeloh, the Federation of German Cyclists (BDR) was once again delighted to have a junior world champion. Herzog showed an offensive and courageous race, drove up alone to the leader Morgado in the final and was ultimately unbeatable in the sprint.
“Just unbelievable”
“I can’t believe it. It’s going to take a few more days before I can really believe it and realize it”said Herzog of the ARD: “I’ve been thinking about this race every time I’ve been training for two or three months. I was satisfied with the time trial. It’s just unbelievable that everything worked out that way.”
The Federation of German Cyclists has so far won four medals in various young talent rankings. Alongside Herzog, Justyna Czapla (Schwabach) secured silver in the junior women’s time trial, Ricarda Bauernfeind (Ingolstadt) took bronze in the U23 class time trial.