Spitz takes 11th German cross country title

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Sabine Spitz and Moritz Milatz won the German cross country national titles at Bad Salzdetfurth. In Saturday's women's race, Spitz collected her 11th national title ahead of Central Pro teammates Anja Gradl and Hanna Klein. On Sunday, Milatz had no problem securing his second title. Milatz took the gold medal ahead of Multivan-Merida teammate Jochen Käss and Torsten Marx in a surprising third place.

In the first two laps, Spitz was thinking that fellow leaders Anja Gradl and Elisabeth Brandau would not be able to continue the pace they set.

"With my experience I could see that it would not work out for them. When I kept that speed in the third lap, they couldn't continue with me," said Spitz.

Brandau tried to keep in contact, but paid later by finishing in eighth position.

Gradl was also suffering, searching for her own rhythm, but she managed to secure the first cross country national medal of her career. "Today it was perfect. It was my goal to earn the second spot behind Sabine," said Gradl.

Behind her, Hanna Klein passed Brandau and profited from technical problems of Silke Schmidt, who put in a strong performance on the 4.6km course.

In the men's race, Moritz Milatz rode well and seemed to have no real contenders. Defending champion Wolfram Kurschat cancelled his participation after breaking ribs three weeks ago. In the very first lap, Milatz escaped together with Manuel Fumic, but in the beginning of third lap, Fumic fell off his pace.

"I passed him and got a gap immediately. I felt super good today," said Milatz after the race. "To win the title is another highlight in my career."

Behind him, Fumic was passed by Jochen Käss and Torsten Marx before he abandoned. "I had no power in my legs. It is the result of my training and I didn't want to risk anything because of the upcoming World Cups," said Fumic.

Käss, who suffered on a flat tire in the first lap and had worked his way back up from 18th position, and Marx fought for the silver and bronze medals.

On the last lap, Marx was setting an attack, but then but Käss countered. "It's a pity that I couldn't fight for the title but on the other hand I'm happy to get back to music after my flat tire," said Kass.

Marx was happy with his race. The 34-year-old rider claimed his first cross country medal ever. "Definitely it is my biggest success," said the DS-Rennsport rider. "I felt pretty good and tried to ride with control."

In the U23 competition, Felix Euteneuer and Markus Schulte-Lünzum duelled. With three laps to go, Marcel Fleschhut couldn't follow the duo because of a defect in his fork. On the last climb, Euteneuer put everything on the pedal he had left and got a gap of some seconds.

"I didn't feel that I was the strongest rider in the leading group, but when one after the other dropped off, I got more and more