Marie Schreiber achieves podium in World Cup Benidorm, Blanka Vas finishes fifth

Marie Schreiber achieves podium in World Cup Benidorm, Blanka Vas finishes fifth

‘Incredible that I still come third’

19/01/2025

On the fast course of the World Cup CX in Benidorm, Marie Schreiber and Blanka Vas helped colour the race. Cheered loudly by their teammates at Team SD Worx-Protime, both cyclo-cross riders rode a strong cross. The Luxembourg champion started and finished strongly, finishing third. Vas was at the front positions throughout the race, finishing in the top five. ‘I am satisfied with Blanka & Marie's performance,’ said sports director Christian Kos.

Linked cyclists Marie Schreiber Gekoppelde ploegleiders: Christian Kos

Marie Schreiber: ‘I am satisfied with this podium finish. It's incredible. This was a crazy race. It was so tactical... Positioning was important and it was important to use forces wisely. I started strong and then tactically tried to wait a bit and be at the front at the important passages. Two laps from the end, I thought my chance for the podium was gone. I cracked a bit. But suddenly, on the last lap, I was at the front again. I was maybe a bit lucky that they slowed down a bit at the front, but that's part of racing. So I went full steam ahead on the climb. My idea was: no matter what happens next, ‘just go’.’

‘I tried to take my road experience to this fast circuit and make the right choices,’ Schreiber continued. ‘On the last lap, I did the right thing. Everything I learned from my teammates at Team SD Worx-Protime over the past two years, I tried to apply. So I am happy to leave Benidorm with a podium finish. This was an important result for the U23 World Cup standings. The last two WorldCup crosses I suffered the consequences of an illness, so I lost important points. Six points difference is still quite a gap, but I will go full steam ahead in the last two crosses.’  

Sports director Christian Kos: ‘Both Blanka Vas and Marie Schreiber rode a strong cross. Blanka rode really well and had a view of the podium the whole race. It's just unfortunate that this changed in the last half lap. But she can still look back on a strong race. Marie Schreiber started super, but then fell back a bit further. Eventually she recovered well and rode a super final as soon as the second group reconnected with the leading group. Resulting in a great third place.’ 

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