After the successful participation of the AlfaPeople team at the Velothon Berlin 2017, now an even bigger team started at the Velothon in Berlin in 2018. This time even in two groups, as there were registrations for both the 60km and the 100km race.

Because of last year’s success the Friday evening boat trip with barbecue was repeated, and by a fortunate coincidence we received a more powerful motorboat instead of the electric boat we reserved, and, to everyone’s joy, we could venture much further into Berlin city center. Like last year, we were blessed with the weather and saw a beautiful sunset over the Berlin skyline, just what we needed for a relaxed evening excursion.

Getting Ready

Saturday morning was all about registration and the bicycle fair at the Brandenburg Gate. Here, manufacturers presented their latest products and bike-focussed trends. From particularly light wheels to special power food, racing clothing to high-tech bicycle computers, there was something for everyone to discover, and at many stands accessories could be bought at particularly good prices. With our perfect preparations, the time until the race passed very quickly with ever-increasing excitement.

In the evening the AlfaPeople team met for a pasta dinner at an Italian restaurant; a cozy gathering with good food and pleasant conversation was just the thing to round off the day. Of course, the upcoming race was the main topic of conversation, discussing what to expect during the race? What times can we achieve?

The 60-km race started around 7:00 am and our first colleague already crossed the finish line before the last one even started. Like last year, the supporters and the AlfaPeople fans from Berlin met at the Siegessäule (victory column) close to the finish line. The first colleague was received enthusiastically with a time of 1:50h and an average speed of about 34 km per hour. He had to start the race “alone” due to another AlfaPeople racer dropping out. Around 10:30 am the remaining colleagues started the 100-km race, where the enthusiasm of the countless spectators and the multitude of bikes are always impressive and overwhelming, and the starting blocks reach approximately one kilometer in length. On this occasion, our 100km AlfaPeople colleagues started out from the 2nd starting block.

While the AlfaPeople cyclists were cycling through Berlin, the fans spent time in the Tiergarten and could treated themselves to a break in a beer garden. The exact locations of the drivers could be closely monitored on our cell phones throughout the race. Naturally, the long-distance riders were also received and cheered by all colleagues and fans at the finish line, and the former crossed the finish line almost together at after 2:55h. This resulted in an average speed of about 35 km per hour, despite the failure of a pedal on the track. To everyone’s relief, all AlfaPeople cyclists finished the race without accidents.

As a result, the AlfaPeople team is now highly motivated, enthusiastic and already registered for the next race, the Cyclassics in August in Hamburg, and we are all looking forward to another fantastic AlfaPeople Team Event.