Click through all pictures of the Ghost BIKE Youth Camp 2022
Finally possible again. After a two-year break due to the coronavirus pandemic, the mountain bike camp for young athletes launched by BIKE took place for the 19th time from 13 to 16 October. 60 young talents gathered at the BayerWaldAktivZentrum Lunaris to spend three days at the end of the season honing their riding technique and riding varied tours with the stars of the cross-country racing scene.
The stars of Ghost Factory Racing at your fingertips
As every year, the highlight of the Ghost BIKE Youth Camp was the proximity to the idols of MTB sport. So the Professionals from the Ghost Factory Racing Team the original World Cup truck and stand directly in front of the young bikers' accommodation. The riders from the Ghost cross-country racing team were also there. They accompanied the young athletes on the tours and gave them valuable tips, for example on training, preparing for competitions and the path to becoming a professional.
These pros were on site at the Ghost BIKE Youth Camp 2022
- Anne TerpstraThe Dutchwoman led the overall World Cup rankings for a long time in 2022, has already won several World Cup races and took part in the Rio Olympics.
- Caroline BohéThe Dane has already finished on the podium in the U23 classification at a World Cup and has been very successful at World and European Championships.
- Nicole KollerThe Swiss rider recently became world champion on the road as part of the team and has raced successfully all over the world.
- Finja LippThe German finished first in the U23 national league this year, was German youth champion and has also stood on the podium at the European Championships.
Participants aged between 11 and 17 also had the chance to meet fourcross legend Tomas Slavik to turn the throttle on the pump track. As world champion, King of Crankworx and World Cup winner, Tomas supported the young bikers with technique and line choice.
All groups also had the opportunity to learn from professional driving technique trainers. Oliver Sunday to experience training on tour similar to that regularly organised by the athletes of the Ghost Factory Racing Team. With Andy Gilgen the young bikers were able to train on a pallet course with another coach from the Ghost Factory Racing Team and the technical coach of the Austrian national team.
In addition to the athletes, team manager Tim Wickles deep insights into the life of a professional team and Uwe Kampe as the team's professional mechanic, taught the participants all kinds of wrenching tricks in Ghost's original World Cup setting. Of course, the talents of the BIKE Junior Teams on site. Among them Dennis Krimmelreigning German XCO champion. You can read a detailed report on Dennis and the BIKE Junior Team powered by Bulls in BIKE 12/2022.
Young bikers can learn from professional athletes
On the very first evening of the Ghost BIKE Youth Camp, the MTB youth met their sporting idols. In a large group, the Ghost pros introduced themselves to the wide-eyed boys and girls. Many eagerly took notes and were able to ask burning questions. Some of the young fans wore the original jerseys of their role models. Afterwards, the youngsters were able to meet each of the athletes in person at an autograph session. BIKE volunteer Jan Timmermann answered questions about everyday editorial work at BIKE magazine, its production and topic plans. Of course, everyone was given the latest issues of BIKE, FREERIDE and TOUR to read in their rooms at night.
Each day of the youth camp started with an active awakening and early morning exercise under the guidance of the Ghost professionals. Under the guidance of professional coach Erik Becker the young bikers were divided into five groups after an initial small elimination race. They then set off with the local guides from the mountain bike club Sportivo Sankt Englmar and the pros on tour. BIKE photo editor Georg Grieshaber accompanied the groups and took professional photos. Anyone who cycles a lot is very hungry - it's a good thing that the staff at the BayerWaldAktivZentrum Lunaris provided a variety of freshly prepared meals.
Friday afternoon and the whole of Saturday were dedicated to fun and training with the pros. In homogeneous groups, the young bikers were able to tackle challenging rides with many trails around Sankt Englmar or work on their riding technique on tour with the experienced trainers, depending on their level of ability. In the forest and on the pump track, world champion Tomas Slavik showed the boys and girls his personal tricks and gave them help to improve their own technique.
In the technical course with Andy Gilgen, important basic techniques such as the bunny hop were practised on pallets and on the slalom course. At the Ghost World Cup truck, Uwe Kampe showed how to remove the wheels, adjust the gears and all kinds of professional tricks. In various challenges and a raffle, the young mountain bikers were able to compete with the world-class athletes and win prizes from Ghost.
On Sunday, a final race on a varied course marked the finale of the Ghost BIKE Youth Camp. In bright sunshine, everyone was able to show what they had learnt over the three days and chat to their role models once again. The 19th Ghost BIKE Youth Camp in St. Englmar ended with a joint roll-out and a farewell lap.
Jan Timmermann
Editor
