Erik Zabel also wants to take on the mountain bike and has announced his participation in the Sypatex BIKE Festival in Willingen. There, the 40-year-old former German racing cyclist will compete in the 60-kilometre marathon on 12 June.
"He's often out and about on his mountain bike," explains Dominic Piquardt, an employee of Zabel's outfitter Canyon.
Zabel is also a mentor to the Young Heroes, a team of 15 U-17 cyclists supported by Canyon.
During the equipment handover, the idea was born: Zabel and his protégés wanted to prove themselves on the mountain bike and set off into the terrain. When Zabel beat everyone there too, his team-mates realised that he had to take part in a mountain bike marathon.
The Sympatex BIKE Festival runs from 10 to 13 June and takes place annually in Willingen.
Further information on the event is available here
