Mediterranean Epic
Mediterranean Epic - Day 1 Recap
12.02.2023
The Mediterranean Epic 2023 started with a day's time trial to get a taste of the terrain that the bikers will encounter in the coming stages. A first contact where they have been able to check that this year mud, water and humidity will be part of some sections of the route. The 19 km route with more than 600 metres of elevation change took the participants from the Torre del Rey de Oropesa del Mar, at sea level, to the Oropesa antennas, more than 400 metres above sea level.
In the men's category, Andreas Seewald gave a demonstration of strength and power on a day that, on paper, was not the most favourable for him. The German Canyon-Northwave rider flew from the early stages of the day and chased down European XCM champion Fabian Rabensteiner (Willier-Pirelli) in just over 15 minutes of racing. A sign that his pace was very high.
Seewald is the current vice-world champion and with today's stage victory he gave a warning about his great form. Poland's Krzysztof Lukasik (JBG2-Cryospace) came closest to his spectacular time of 46:03, losing 15 seconds and proving that he is getting better and better every year at this event. Georg Egger, winner of the last edition of the Mediterranean Epic, started the race with a good start in 3rd place and, although he lost 27 seconds to his compatriot Seewald, he showed that he is ready to defend his title in the coming days.
In the women's category, the young Luisa Daubermann, only 20 years old and a member of the Trek Future Racing team, made the most of a type of effort that perfectly matched her characteristics as an XCO rider. She ended up setting the best time ahead of one of the clear favourites, Swiss rider Janina Wust (Buff-Megamo) who was 14 seconds off the lead.
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