In a slight deviation from the standard winter training camp, WTCS medallist Lasse Lührs recently took part in the Tour of Windhoek in Namibia.
The race took place over four days, between 16th-19th February, covering 400km.
Over the course of six stages, including a prologue and individual time trial, Lührs put in some very respectable performances. Riding for the MBM Racing team, he ultimately finished 8th overall in the General Classification, 1 minute 18 seconds down on the winner. His overall time across the stages was 7:17.43.
The Tour was the sixth edition of the event and primarily consisted of Namibian and South African riders. As events go, it certainly is a different way of building fitness ahead of the new season. Moreover, the variety in the stages will likely have done Lührs’ legs plenty of good.
Lührs’ appearance in Windhoek also coincided with a training camp of his compatriots.
Several members of the German National Team have been based in Namibia for their winter training camp. The winners of WTCS Hamburg in 2021, Laura Lindemann and Tim Hellwig, are among the athletes on the camp, as are Jule Behrens, Selina Klamt, Lena Meißner, Nina Eim and Lasse Nygaard Priester.
Lührs had a terrific 2022. He won his maiden WTCS medal in Leeds and followed it up with a 4th place at WTCS Cagliari. Towards the end of the season, he finished 7th at WTCS Bermuda, where he went stride for stride with defending Olympic champion Kristian Blummenfelt for the entire race.
In the end, Lührs finished 9th in the overall Series. That represented his best ever performance and indicated that he had found a new level.
He also medalled at the Karlovy Vary World Cup.
This year, Lührs will have two opportunities to cement his place on the German Olympic team in 2024. Should he finish in the top-8 at the Paris Olympic Test Event or the WTCS Final in Pontevedra, he will stamp his Olympic ticket.
With a novel approach to winter cycling training under his belt, it will be fascinating to see what kind of form he is able to produce in the coming months.
