DAMEK AND JOBÁNEK GAINED GOLD AT THE GLACIER 360 IN ICELAND
17. 08. 2019
Together with Honza Jobánek we started a unique project called the KILPI - SUPERIOR MTB StageRace 2019. It aims to test our riding skills, as well as the quality of KILPI 2020 cycling collection, ranging from jerseys to improved bags with reservoirs, and SUPERIORBIKES! The series started with a pair stage race called Glacier360.
We were really looking forward to the race. Both the terrain and the environment promised an extraordinary biking experience. The race started with a prologue, which had a form of time trial. The Reykjavik track with a length of 4.3 km and an elevation of 83 meters led along the single trails in the local park. Honza and I finished second, 3 seconds behind the local leaders.
The next day we rode 95km second stage. We were curious and could hardly wait for the local terrains. I and Honza did very well in the stage. We got in the lead on the 12th kilometre and struggled through the volcanic dust with a view of the local glacier. In addition, the stage with an elevation of 1,500 meters was “spiced” with very strong wind. Even so, we managed to win it and after a cold night in a tent we entered the third stage as the leading riders with a lead of more than 5 minutes.
The next day we found out that the third stage had been changed due to unfavourable winter weather. It was literally an air show in very cold and extremely rainy weather, and our average speed on the track with the length of 108 km and an elevation of 1333 meters was 34 km/h. Unfortunately, Honza and I did not manage to beat the local couple and we finished second. Meanwhile, the forecast reported even more interesting weather for the next day. It was supposed to start snowing, which would have been fun.
The fourth stage of Glacier 360 was 111 km long with an elevation of 1,500 meters and was much more technical, when more than 50 km were on beautiful trails in the local countryside. The surface was very variable: from volcanic dust, sand and countless rocks to grassy steppes. The competitors did not avoid technical problems and crashes. Our team was doing very well, though. We avoided crashes and defects and in the finish line we added our second stage victory and also defended our lead from the previous stages and secured the overall victory.
Milan Damek