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The inline skaters also celebrated their season opener at the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON. More than 1,000 inline skaters started shortly before the runners and enjoyed perfect conditions. Nolan Beddiaf and Laura Files won ahead of their competitors in the professional category.
The men's race was characterised by many breakaway attempts right from the start line. Above all, Felix Rijhnen (Powerslide) from Darmstadt looked for every gap to leave the field behind him. Eventually, a group of four formed with Nolan Beddiaf (FRA/TAX RACING), Felix Rijhnen, Alexander Bastidas (VEN/Team Roller A4) and Livio Wenger (CH/Arena Geisingen CCN Team). "At the halfway point, it became clear that Felix and I had a bit more power, so from then on we rode in pairs," said Bediaf, summarising the course. In the final sprint to the finish, the Frenchman was just ahead of Rijhnen (both 30:13 min.). "The final sprint was ten metres too long for me today, but I'm still very happy with my season opener and I'm very confident going into the next races," said Rijhnen. Third place went to Alexander Bastidas (31:24 min./Team Roller A4) from Venezuela, who has lived in Berlin since 2016. "For me as a South American, the winter in Berlin is always very tough, so today's conditions were perfect," said Bastidas, who first competed in the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON in 2009.
Laura Files successful at her first start in Berlin
In contrast to Bastidas, it was the first participation for both Laura Files (Team Bayern) and Leni Sommer (Skate Club Allgäu). "I'm very happy to finish right at the front at my first start in Berlin," said winner Laura Files (38:57 min.). Debutant Leni Sommer came out on top in the women's mass arrival by a wafer-thin margin ahead of experienced skater and speed skater Claudia Pechstein (SCC Skating) (both 38:58 min.)
The GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON was also the opening race of the GERMAN INLINE CUP. In addition to the professionals, there is also a separate fitness classification: the first-placed runners were Kevin Massa (ITA) ahead of Adrian Gumanita (ROU) and Eduardo Chittofrati (ITA) - Melanie Bayrhof (GER) won the women's race ahead of Sophie Kämpfer (GER) and Anna Zanetti (ITA).