Two riders from the Milram ProTour team will be taking the start in the 35th Frankfurt cyclo-cross race this Sunday. For Paul Voß, who last year was second on the Bornheimer Hang, he will be making the race his first of the season, while Björn Schröder is using the race as intensive preparation for his 2010 road campaign.
“But I wouldn’t have anything against a good placing,” said former ‘cross specialist Schröder of his decision to use the race for training. “After not riding ‘cross for several years, I am using the winter races as intensive preparation for the first road races in the coming year. I don’t know whether I can stay up with the specialists after my long absence from the scene.” He will be returning from training on the island of Mallorca this Friday saying, “I have a 40 hour week behind me, I could train very hard. The form is good and I am going to Frankfurt motivated.”
Paul Voß will know how his form is only when the race is underway. “I am looking forward to my first ‘cross race this season. But my training didn’t go so well the last few days,” explained Voß, who is suffering from a cold. After finishing second in last year’s event, he will just take this weekend as it comes adding: “So I don’t know how I will do. But I will still try to bring in a good placing.”
In 2008 Paul Voß finished second behind later U23 World Champion Philipp Walsleben (BKCP-Powerplus). Walsleben is the favorite again this year on the course, which will host the ‘cross European Championship next year. The whole national elite will be at the start Sunday in Frankfurt, with their race starting at 15:00.