This weekend the Bundesliga season will kick off in the familiar location of Kraichgau. Unlike last season, in which the funky 2+2 format was on offer as the teams tackle the “2+2 format“, this edition of the race will be a normal Sprint distance affair with an 800m swim, 20km bike and 5km run. Although several top names will instead race at WTCS Cagliari, a good start list has been attracted.
On paper, there is no overwhelming favourite on the team front in the women’s race, although there are several key individual contenders. Potsdam can call upon Selina Klamt, the World U23 champion, who will be a clear point of strength. Johanna Uherek finished in the top-5 at the 2023 World Junior Championships and will be racing but then Potsdam have two young Juniors (born in 2007) on the start list.
Witten have the experienced Anabel Knoll and Anne Holm racing. They also have Bianca Bogen starting, who raced for them last year while pregnant. Marit van den Berg rounds out a team that could take the win. Meanwhile, SG TSV Amicitia Viernheim/ Saar will be led by Tanja Neubert who is coming off a personal best World Cup finish in Samarkand. They also have the strong Austrian Junior Tabea Huys as well as Carlotta Bonacina and Olivia Keiser on their team.
Dr. Loges Triathlon Team Lüneburg will likely need a big showing from Robin Dreyling while Berlin and Bonn will count on Celine Kaiser and Daryna Moskaleno, respectively. Moreover, Absolute Teamsport KTT 01 could get a big leg from the Hungarian Junior star Fanni Szalai.
Overall, then, each female squad has a key athlete that could separate them but in a team format, with points determined by the top-3 finishers from each outfit, there is only so far their leading names can carry them.
In the men’s race, the early favourites for the overall title, Hylo Team Saar, will be led by the ever-dependable Chris Ziehmer. They lose key names like Tim Hellwig and Lasse Nygaard Priester to WTCS Cagliari but if they can stay in the hunt in Kraichgau their reinforcements could carry them to the championship later in the year.
PUSCH-DATA-Team AST Süßen will have a strong French double punch in the form of Maxime Hueber Moosbrugger and Jeremy Quindos. Hueber Moosbrugger impressed in both the Bundesliga (such as in Schliersee) and the French Grand Prix (like in Bordeaux) in 2023 while Quindos is a proven performer in the French Grand Prix. With their French connection, Süßen will back themselves to take down Team Saar.
Sportunion Neckarsulm will be probably need a big leg from Eric Diener while Witten have the intriguing proposition of Zalán Hóbor starting.
The team to watch, though, may just be PSD Bank Tri Post Trier. Last year, Trier turned heads with a big showing in Kraichgau and they look positioned to go even better this weekend. Gjalt Panjer finished in the top-10 at the Huatulco World Cup last weekend while Cedric and Jonas Osterholt are a strong duo to field. Trier also added Til Kramp in the off-season which adds to the depth of their quartet.
Altogether, then, the Bundesliga will launch with a pair of wide open races on Saturday evening in store.
