Team Bulls veteran Tim Bohme lived up to his pre-race billing to claim the Rothaus Marathon Singen. Bohme, a local hero, claimed his seventh victory in the event with a commanding performance on the fast 75km course, which features a relatively low 1,550m of climbing.
Bohme was joined by Bulls teammates Marcus Nicolai and Simon Stiebjahn for the event. Nicolai eventually finished third, with Roland Golderer (Team Texpa Simplon) spliting the Bulls pair on the podium.
Early in the event Nicolai and Stiebjahn had set a furious pace for their team captain. Their tactic was highly effective as they created a selection of top riders after just 15 kilometres of racing. At the 24 kilometre mark Bohme himself took over the pace-making as he led the front group up a climb at Hegau.
“We’d already created a selection, and then I decided to turn up the gas to its extreme,” explained Bohme of his move. “I had a good gap and knew this is the crucial moment, so I pulled through.”
The move a third of the way through the race proved to be the decisive attack of the race as Bohme settled into his rhythm for what would be a 50 kilometre solo race for the finish line in Singen.
Behind him Golderer was able to shake off the challenge from Nicolai. Bohme, who had crossed the finish line in 2:43:39, was followed some three minutes later by his rival, with Bulls’ Nicolai rounding out the top-3. The third Bulls rider, Stiebjahn, eventually finished seventh.
“I am really happy. Seven wins on home ground is unbelievable,” said Bohme after his victory. “Marcus and Simon did a great job after the start. It was quickly a small lead group, just as I had imagined. Even after that everything went as well as I could have hoped. I had super legs could go any pace at any time. The spectators along the route were fantastic and the cheering strengthened me throughout the race.”
Top-3
1. Tim Bohme (Team Bulls) 2:42:39
2. Roland Golderer (Team TEXPA Simplon) 2:46:14
3. Marcus Nicolai (Team Bulls) 2:50:34