Track Champions League: Pröpster makes a dream debut - Reinhardt crashes and breaks his frame

The 22-year-old from Jungingen/Baden-Württemberg won the final at the Velodrom Balears in Palma de Mallorca against the reigning sprint world champion Emma Finucane from Great Britain. Pröpster finished third in the subsequent keirin competition, taking the overall lead ahead of the second stage in Berlin.

Alessa-Catriona Pröpster: "I just did my thing"

"It's totally unexpected. I just did my thing - but of course it couldn't have started any better," said Pröpster after her sprint victory. The European team sprint champion had only made it into the field due to a wild card. Multiple world champions Emma Hinze, Lea Sophie Friedrich and Pauline Grabosch (all Cottbus) had opted not to take part this year due to the European Championships in January 2024.

Theo Reinhardt falls

Things did not go so well for Berlin's Theo Reinhardt. After finishing 15th in the scratch race, the two-time Madison world and European champion was involved in a mass crash in the elimination race. "I have to have surgery on my chin," the 33-year-old announced. He also had to abandon the competition due to a broken bike frame. In the overall standings, Reinhardt is in 17th place out of 18 riders.

The second round of the Champions League will take place next Saturday (28 October) at the Berlin Velodrom. The third season ends after five days of racing on 11 November on the Olympic track in London.

>> Everything you need to know about the Track Champions League

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