A Strong Start to 2018 for Canyon Topeak Factory Racing

It’s been five months since the kick-start of the newly branded Canyon Topeak Factory Racing XC Marathon team. With new management and new partners, the team is delighted with the positive progression of racing results and team spirit so far in 2018.

The year could not have started better, with a great showing in the South African local and high-level racing scene. The team enjoyed success at the Breede Ultra XCM and Simonsberg Contour stage races during the pre-season training camp. Victory came early for Alban Lakata and Kristian Hynek at the Tankwa Trek stage race, known for being the final test before the Absa Cape Epic.

Cape Epic

The Absa Cape Epic is one of the biggest highlights on the MTB calendar. It was “oh so very close” for Alban and Kristian to claim overall victory. They crawled into the hearts of the fans and we were proud of their stage victory and second place overall.

It is always tough to jump into the European season after some tough early season months in the dusty, rocky, hard African racing conditions. The riders slowly found their legs again after a small rest, with top results at the European Champs, Riva festival, and the Capoliveri Cup.

Alban Lakata in his World Champion jersey was  Mr. Consistency this year, always at the front, but that big MTB victory has been just out of reach. He did show his climbing legs at the Super Giro Dolomiti with a lovely victory, even though he swapped his fat tires for some fast skinny road tires.

 

A Hat-Trick of Victories, and Mom Power

Kristian Hynek broke the ice on European soil with three victories in the Jecin 50, Malevil UCI XCM Series event and the Czech Republic National Champs. Kristian followed up with a great victory at the Engadin Bike Giro stage race in the Engadin Valley.

The team was pleased to welcome British star Sally Bigham back into the racing game after the birth of her baby boy. She had no trouble being competitive right away, with a 4th position at the BeMC Challenge and then with a victory at the UCI XCM Series event at Malevil.

With most of the team racing in Europe, the team’s “Captain America” is not to be forgotten. After a rather unfortunate crash in the final stage of the Cape Epic, Jeremiah Bishop needed a few weeks of recovery time, but he bounced back and head already enjoyed a few podiums, including a victory at the American NUE Series at the Mohican 100-miler and Challenger 100-miler.

Team 2018 Results to date

BC Bike Race (CAN) July 7-13
5th — Jeremiah Bishop

Engadin Bike Giro UCI S2 (SUI) – 29 June-1 July
1st – Kristian Hynek

Austrian National Championships (AUT) – 23 June
2nd – Alban Lakata

Challenger NUE 100-miler (USA) – 23 June
1st – Jeremiah Bishop

Sella Ronda Hero UCI XCM SERIES (ITA) – 16 June
5th – Alban Lakata
7th – Sally Bigham

Super Giro Dolomiti [Road] (AUT) – 10 June
1st – Alban Lakata

Malevil UCI XCM SERIES (CZE) – 9 June
1st – Kristian Hynek
1st – Sally Bigham

Mohican 100-miler NUE Series (USA) – 3 June
1st – Jeremiah Bishop

Czech National Championships (CZE) – 2 June
1st – Kristian Hynek

Jecin 50 (CZE) – 26 May
1st – Kristian Hynek

Capoliveri Cup Elba UCI XCM SERIES (ITA) – 12 May
7th – Alban Lakata

Belgium Mountain Bike Challenge (BEL) – 11-13 May
4th – Sally Bigham

USA National Championships (USA) – 6 May
7th – Jeremiah Bishop

Riva Festival XCM (ITA) – 29 April
4th Kristian Hynek

European XCM Championships (ITA) – 22 Apr
6th – Alban Lakata

Absa Cape Epic UCI HC (RSA) – 18-25 March
2nd – Alban Lakata / Kristian Hynek
21st – Jeremiah Bishop / Erik kleinhans

Stokesville 60k (USA) – 4 March
1st – Jeremiah Bishop

Monster Cross (USA) – 18 February
2nd – Jeremiah Bishop

Tankwa Trek UCI S1 stage race (RSA) – 9-11 February
1st – Alban Lakata / Kristian Hynek
12th – Jeremiah Bishop / Erik Kleinhans

Simonsberg Contour (RSA) – 3-4 February
1st – Kristian Hynek
2nd – Jeremiah Bishop
3rd – Alban Lakata

Breede Ultra (RSA) – 27 January
1st – Alban Lakata
2nd – Kristian Hynek

Attakwas UCI XCM SERIES (RSA) – 20 January
7th – Erik Kleinhans

Up Next for Canyon Topeak

Next up, Alban and Kristian will take on the fast growing and well respected La Leyenda stage race in Columbia. There is also some familiar races, but standing out is for sure the Leadville 100 and World Championships for some big end of season action!

22 July – USA XCO Champs (USA)
29 July – UK XCM Championships (UK)
29 July-4 August – La Leyenda (COL)
12 August – Leadville 100-miler (USA)
25 August – Birkebeiner (NOR)
1 September – Skaidi Extreme (NOR)
5 September – Shenandoah 100-miler (USA)
9 September – Red Bull Dolomiten Man (AUT)
15 September – World Championships (ITA)
30 September – Alpine Loop (USA)
12-14 October – Roc d’Azur (FRA)