Nils Oyen

Victor Bouscavet

Robert Müller

Matthias Krah

Hannes Meyle

Martin Moritz

Jana Kesenheimer

Jean-Patrick Renouard

Joris Pesch

Luca Wesel

Stefan Barth

Hans Miggenrieder

Melanie Müller-Reichert

Daniel Biester

Jacob Tippelt

Joel Bonfranchi

Myllykoski Taneli

Jürgen Fodor

Michael Rau

Marco Rumbak

Benjamin Schneider

Heinrich Merk

Axel Werner

Markus Gerber

Jost Schumski

Mirko Hering

Tom Banks

Malte Klassen

Hubert Stratmann

Martin Reichert

Michael Felber

Yannick Zucker

Benjamin Kass

Dennis Bühler

Frederic Kurz

Thomas Baumann

Aeneas Gröflin

Tobias Harmuth

Markus Apfelbaum

Kristian Krüger

Ellen Scherr

Mirko Schmidt

Patrick Tepaß

Stefan Heidrich

Kathrin Großmann

Joachim Keller

Marek Garus

Felix Hosenseidl

Johann Bollen

Aron Kordt

William Soler

Dylan Eßbach

Gregor Rekus

Jochen Weissenrieder

Rüdiger Klingmann

Miranda Schloss

Stefan Moritz

Necdet Dolmis

Estelle Beuve

Benjamin Sauser

Mathias Floßbach

Sabrina Rothe

Cornelius Ebner

Matias Bach

Nico Mausch

Erik Maximilian Martens

Luca Bronca

Christian Trenkle

Johannes Geißner

Ivar Brouwer

Thomas Henn

Leif Pritzl

Michael Scale

Paul Ruick

Markus Schmidt

Erik Lommel

Kemal Arslan

Florian Held

Elke Gutermann

Tanja Marx

Tobias Fuchs

Florian Eicher

Lennart Nap

Christian Dietrich

Thomas Freese

Julian Remmet

Daniel Grützner

Nils Kroner

Vera Negwer

Wolfgang Tilch

Michael Billington

Oliver Näthe

Stefan Blum

Maik Tonek

Martin Ronecker

Constantin Backmann

Alexander Groehl

Johannes Freydorf

Carsten Stottmeister

John Hans Merk

Hannes Marlok

Steffen Marlok

Marguerite Muhlhaus

Rémi Mejean

Sebastian Golisch

Philipp Glatz

Niklas Hoffmann

Simon Lülsdorf

Dietrich Klonk

Matthias Bauer

Raphael Karrer

Cindy Hertach

Tom Gilleßen

Kai Spinneker

Dirk Albanus

Micha Mayer

Simon Haaf

Simon Janus

Stefan Fimpel

Michael Glanzner

Franziska Stoof

Max Welteroth

We have 17 finishers on the MittelGebirge so far, including the 2nd woman, __Melanie Müller-Reichert #31__ with a fantastic 13th place overall. She completed the 1.132km and +22.500m in less than 80 hours. The 2nd pair has arrived too, and it's a mixed pair, __Marguerite Muhlhaus #1023 and Rémi Mejean #1024__. Not far from a complete podium everywhere !

On the MittelGebirge, CP5, at top of the Schlossberg is the actual finish. It does not seem a crazy climb, the top is at +374m but it is steep and the view is really nice. Then you can take your sweet time to ride down to the campsite, where you can dry your feet, enjoy warm food and a matress in a corner. That's a good place to hang out and share stories, waiting for the following finishers.

Let's not foret that it is still raining in the Vosges. This year edition is approaching the 50% scratch. Hopefully we will not reach that number. I'll keep an eye on the rest of the riders still on the move !

It's getting crowded

The __Marlok brothers #1013 & #1014__ were the 1st pair to arrive last night around 2AM, and __Jana Kesenheimer #105__ was the 1st woman, 7th overall right after them. I doubt that they were able to celebrate in the middle of the night, but there were certainly someone still awake at the camp to welcome them with a warm drink or even a beer. A dry corner to sleep without the need of waking up again and hop on the bike is the best celebration sometimes. They will be welcoming the following riders all day today, in a cosy place and rested, with plenty of food, and I can't wait to hear their stories. They made it under 70 hours, which is amazing for such a tough parcours and with the bad weather that they had.![Marek Garus instagram](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6zOqRqfww2DVGGtt3WtUTm/79391011d66c1d062bdcda4aed8adfdf/Screenshot_2025-06-03_at_21.06.02.png)
A bit further on the route, __Marek Garus #16__ found another good spot to sleep, under the stars. Most of the riders are still in the Vosges.

1st pair & 1st woman in the top10

__Victor Bouscavet #50__ joined __Nils Oyen #38__ on the podium, only 2 hours behind him, for an official time of 2 DAYS 11 HOURS 36 MINUTES. He had a very tough time on the road, not only the usual pains but a bad stomach since he drank bad water on the very 1st guess. I guess water has really been an issue on this year edition of the MittelGebirge Classique ! __Robert Müller #108__ came less than 1 hour after him. He had some mechanicals along the way, and not much sleep. 
![mittelgebirgeclassique instagram](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6QEYKik8SLQtY5jUCZ1YZs/e21a79d6c69d81da4f54c582f1e5ebb1/Screenshot_2025-06-03_at_21.07.28.png)
We heard that this MittelGebirge was wet, but with the pictures, you really realize what this means...
![mittelgebirgeclassique instagram](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6lS2xj3gzse1NHgVhoNsXf/12a6801a2e7f8b003a2cdced7a1df2cf/Screenshot_2025-06-03_at_21.07.54.png)

The podium

This morning, __Nils Oyen #38__ took a short nap. Out of that nap, he found himself sandwiched by __Victor Bouscavet #50__ in front, and __Robert Müller #108__ behind on a long climb. He gave it all he had and overtook Victor, keeping Robert at bay. He did not stop pushing until the finish line where he arrived with an official time of 2 DAYS 9 HOURS 19 MINUTES. Victor, who dominated over the 1st 900km, is close to the finish line now. 

Amazing push from Nils

We are waking up to see __Nils Oyen #38__ ahead of __Victor Bouscavet #50__ for the 1st time ! The night was in Nils favour, and he caught Victor who finally shows signs of fatigue and have stopped twice 20 minutes (he found a nice chapel). We can expect a tough battle between those two on the last 200km !![mittelgebirgeclassique instagram](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4VzphqFrOzx0EDi5t9Z3Fl/a283053f8f0f80465f44756bb9e91849/Screenshot_2025-06-03_at_07.46.51.png)
__Jana Kesenheimer #105__ hold her 6th position, with no long rest either. She shows a great determination and left CP3 in the dark with a big smile on her face.![mittelgebirgeclassique instagram](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3kjijmrbOj9N3puZ5zggou/e7cace8afa3e436df8fd7b35c8027df6/Screenshot_2025-06-03_at_07.47.15.png)
__The Marlok brothers #1013 & #1014__ are still leading the pair category, and still right behind Jana. __Markus Apfelbaum #1018__ having lost his other half, __Tom Gilleßen #1017__ who scratched, he is now riding solo so __Marguerite Muhlhaus #1023 & Rémi Mejean #1024__ are 2nd and just crossed the border to France.

![mittelgebirgeclassique instagram](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7aV1h8vf4SVYHMSpKAJdgl/e0a322cfabac8a8d229ec0eb3cc98a18/Screenshot_2025-06-03_at_07.47.47.png)

__Martin Moritz #54__...was tired and just layed down in the grass in front of a hotel. A nurse saw him and contacted the police, thinking he's drunk or in need of help. Police arrived and wanted to check if he's sober and okay to drive his bike. After he claimed to be in a bikerace (I mean... where are the others ?), police was quite baffled when the test turned negative. (story from Klara at CP2)

A change at the head of the race !

The sun is setting again on the MittelGebirge Classique. I don't doubt that most of the riders are going to take a well deserved rest, after a day spent under the rain. Altough the weather seems to be nicer and as __Matthias Krah #68__ rightfully said, *"better to ride dry at night than wet by day !"*

The front of the race did not change, Victor Bouscavet #50, closely followed by Nils Oyen #38 and Robert Müller #108, each spent less than one hour at CP3, eating pasta, freshening up and leaving just before the next one arrived. __Matthias Krah #68__ did not lose time either. Next arriving are __Joris Pesch #64__ and __Jana Kesenheimer #105__ ; will they stop for the night as it is getting dark ? 
![MittelgebirgeClassique](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4F2Z1HUYNj6umjxgWfaAK6/ff23089239029ffce130a985b59d0be4/Screenshot_2025-06-02_at_22.24.58.png)
__Jana Kesenheimer #105__ is the 1st of only 10 women on the MittelGebirge Classique, and she is doing amazing, from the overall top10 to the top5 (okay, top6, but she'll get there !). Behind her, all women are doing great : __Melanie Müller-Reichert #31__ is currently 18th and __Ellen Scherr #100__ is 25th. When the scratch list is getting longer, it's nice to see that only 2 women had to withdraw from the race so far, and the rest is rocking it !

Another evening

Is there a trend starting on the MittelGebirge ? Riders have a new way to carry food, and set up their table in the top tube bag. It looks like a round container is working great in that position. Chips, noodles, you name it ! Here is a few photos of the ultra cyclist diet.

![victor bouscavet ](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3JRLroHctar8UMGvrtR67y/1f7f353ce95780361756850a5075fba8/Screenshot_2025-06-02_at_07.42.06.png)

It's been raining more consistenly today on the MittelGebirge, and the CP3 have welcomed a very wet __Victor Bouscavet #50__. He did not stop for long and went on his way. __Nils Oyen #38__ is only 30 minutes behind. A short gap but that never closed so far. __Jana Kesenheimer #105__ is taking over a few places and she might even get to the top 5 in the end... __Stefan Barth #2__ is still officially in front of her, but close, and he will at the very least get a penalty for taking a shortcut, and avoiding the nasty climb up to Weissenstein from km 490.

![Jana Kesenheimer](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4Clil6Ix0PEifyTChEqDF5/ac698d97788d1c9e483f5a104040efc6/Screenshot_2025-06-02_at_07.41.14.png)

The scratch list is very long this year, resulting from a mix between bad weather, and the super high km/elevation ratio. Let's not forget that the new part in Switzerland, where most of the riders are currently enjoying the rain, adds another 1.500m to a route that was not flat the past years !

![food](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2MdfGGXHsW9cOwQ7G5srNt/d69ad29519996820d94fce6afec42a8b/Screenshot_2025-06-01_at_15.01.52.png)

![Michael Rau](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/J0EBvga7QLnMIl2rsGYkM/f6f0fd868e47354bf103f4617a951737/Screenshot_2025-06-01_at_21.55.02.png)

Food trend

More than 24 hours in, one night out, and the head of the course is very slowly getting ahead of the group. Those who hit the CP1 last night have continued into the night and everyone seems to already be moving this morning. 

__Victor Bouscavet #50__ is still riding strong, and I am getting some very positive messages from him, even when he tells me that he has been riding under heavy rain for 2 hours. He is now approaching checkpoint 2 in Switzerland, where I'll believe he will not find all the accommodation provided in CP1, but a view from the Chasseral summit at +1.600m. That's everything he will see from Switzerland, as he crossed the country during the nightime ! He'll soon cross a border again for the French part of the course. __Nils Oyen #38__ is very close, and Robert Müller #108 completes the temporary podium. __Jana Kesenheimer #105__ continues to impress in the women field and overall, she is now riding in the top10.

The __Marlok brothers #1013 & #1014__ are after her, and if they continue as they do, they'll be the 1st pair until the finish line. But behind them, there are 3 pairs, 6 riders, riding very closely to each other ! The battle for the podium is going to be fierce.

The scratch list now totals 25 riders out, +16 during the night including __Lennart Nap #74__, not totally recovered from the Utrecht Ultra and also prepping for the B-Hard in June. That's a lot of racing with not a lot of recovery !
![Marek Garus](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3mh7OkGja16uWC2dKhl3JK/b14b7c8221a4fde87311e1e7085eef76/Screenshot_2025-06-02_at_07.41.43.jpg)
Talking about recovery, here is the sleeping accomodation for the night from __Marek Garus #16__, and having slept in a church in Germany on my 1st MittelGebirge Classique, I can tell you that is one of the best spot you could ever find !

After the 1st night

It might be too many updates for one day, but I had to look at the tracker before I go to bed and leave everyone ride when I sleep. __Victor Bouscavet #50__ stays in front and is the 1st to reach CP1 (km380) just now. I am looking forward to seeing the strategies of everyone. Who’s going to answer the bed call, and who’s going to continue through the night ?

The same question arises for those behind, approaching the city of Kirchzarten (km315). Who will try and reach the checkpoint, or take the last opportunity to find a hotel room ? What gaps will those decisions make in the morning ?
![marlok.cycling.brothers instagram](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/29PeGwhy5oNBS2rlRoiHwy/22359c6cae25ffbbf0aa89ce7c23a0f2/Screenshot_2025-06-01_at_22.43.54.png)
Another exciting update from the __Marlok brothers #1013 and #1014__, 1st pair. I always wonder how riding as a pair can be such a disadvantage competing with the solo riders, while they could be more organised, split the work. Not so much riding and drafting, because the terrain does not really allow that ; but they could be more efficient during resting time. They could also do longer hours, because it’s easier to stay awake and focus in a pair. For now, they are 1st in the pair race but also riding in the top15 overall.

I'll see you, and the dots, in the morning !

The 1st evening

Already 12 hours in, and slowly the head of the race is detaching from the rest of the group : __Victor Bouscavet #50__ is consistent and still 1st, but not far behind are __Nils Oyen #38__ and __Martin Moritz #54__. __Robert Müller #108__ and __Joris Pesch #64__ are completing the group. On their steps, __Lennart Nap #74__ is suffering from the heat. I guess I was not good at predicting weather. The head of the race is 80km away from CP1 at Wanderheim Stockmatt. They might reach it just in time for the night, and accommodation, food, showers might be appealing for them. __Jana Kesenheimer #105__ and __Melanie Müller-Reichert #31__ are riding strong, and in the top20. With the comfortable checkpoint in view, the nightime strategies are going to be decisive.
![mittelgebirgeclassique instagram](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5DrzfQKg5oAScbBlyhDdbL/9835ed4c7d29378c649d0938a35c9922/Screenshot_2025-06-01_at_18.23.37.png)
I did my research to know more about the pair, and the 1st in the race is __Hannes & Steffen Marlok, #1013 & #1014__, 2 brothers probably used to work together. Knowing your partner is key for a pair, so those 2 check the box pretty well ! 2nd pair __Dirk Albanus #1021__ and __Kai Spinneker #1022__ are right behind but honestly, I can't say much about that race yet, everyone is still pretty close ! I know __Marguerite Muhlhaus #1023__ and __Rémi Mejean #1024__ are also a very strong couple, use to work as a team and the Black Forest is their playground. I could see those 2 making their way in front.

Already, we see a few scratch and amongst them, the winner from last year, __Constantin Backmann #1__ had to withdraw (not into it, fatigue), as well as __Carsten Stottmeister #9__ (too hot). The Black Forest is ruthless...


12 hours in

Fanny Bensussan

Back for its fourth edition, this event crosses between Germany and France which takes riders over 40 mountain passes in the middle mountains (Mittelgebirge) ranges of the Palatinate Forest, Black Forest and Vosges.

MittelgebirgeClassique 2025 Tracking and Commentary

Back for its fourth edition, this event crosses between Germany and France which takes riders over 40 mountain passes in the middle mountains (Mittelgebirge) ranges of the Palatinate Forest, Black Forest and Vosges.


MittelgebirgeClassique 2025

DotWatcher.cc

MittelgebirgeClassique 2025

Distance — Elevation

Terrain

Website

Last Year's Male Winner

Last Year's Female Winner

Covered By:

Leaderboard

Solo

Pair

Events Feed