The second round of the European Cup took place in Obergessertshausen, Germany, also part of the Bundesliga calendar. With 50 riders on the start line, the race once again proved highly competitive. It was also an important event for the team, with five riders competing: Léo Lounela, Duvan Peña, Sara Cortinovis, Noelle Buri, and myself. It was also my first race alongside my Colombian teammate Duvan Peña.

In a rather unusual format at this level, the U23 race started two minutes behind the elite riders, which meant dealing with significant traffic throughout the race.

Given my starting position (33rd), the strong field, and the heavy training load from the previous weeks, I approached the race with realistic expectations.

From the very beginning, I realized it would be a difficult day. Course recon had been done in dry conditions, but the weather changed and made the track much more technical and unpredictable. It was also my first race in such conditions since my collarbone fracture in 2025, which added an extra layer of difficulty.

I quickly struggled to find my rhythm. The legs lacked freshness after the recent training block, and combined with the demanding conditions, I wasn’t able to get into the race.

After two laps, I made the decision to withdraw. It’s never an easy call, and not something I’m used to doing, but it felt like the most reasonable decision in that situation. Sometimes it’s important to listen to the body and avoid pushing too far.

From the sidelines, I was able to follow some strong performances from the team. Léo Lounela secured an excellent 3rd place in the U23 category, while Duvan Peña delivered a solid ride to finish 25th in the elite race. Earlier in the day, Sara Cortinovis and Noelle Buri finished 13th and 11th respectively.

A tough day, but part of the process. The focus now is on learning from it and coming back stronger for the next races.

Thanks to my partners for their support and to everyone who continues to follow and support me through both the highs and the more challenging moments.