‘8 plugs, 3 Co2 – still no luck’ – Rosa Klöser’s Leadville 100 bid ends in a car after tricky acclimatization following Tour de France Femmes

The Canyon-SRAM rider said the flat was so serious that she tried eight times to plug it and went through three Co2 canisters to try and re-inflate it, but to no avail. She had to abandon the race at that point and was listed as a DNF on the results.

Latest Videos FromCyclingnews

“I flatted bad. 8 plugs, 3 Co2 – still no luck,” Klöser wrote in a social media post

“It‘s sad but I had to give up and call a ride home as it was too far and dangerous to ride on the rim. It is what it is!”

You may like

Klöser was in fifth position at the time, after chasing with Sofia Gomez Villafañe (Specialized Off-road), itself an achievement given this was, she said, only her fifth ever mountain bike ride.

The German is a big name on the gravel scene but this was a baptism of fire on the flat bars, at altitudes above the 3000-metre mark, and with so little time to adapt after competing at the biggest road race in the sport.

The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!

“I’ve never been and for sure not have been riding an MTB above 3000hm,” Klöser wrote.

“Felt ok yesterday but today (altitude day 3) hit me and I was far off the pace of the first 4 girls. Eventually managed to come around & was sitting alone in P5 but with 14k to go I flatted.”

Despite the struggles and the disappointing end to her ride, Klöser was able to take heart from her ride and take some inspiration for the future.

What to read next

“On a positive note, I was happy with my technical skills considering it was my 5th ever MTB ride,” she wrote.

“To perform here better preparation is needed but its definitely something I can see myself targeting in the future.”

Klöser drops out of the top 10 on the Life Time Grand Prix season-long series, into 11th place, with three events remaining.

“Not sure what’s next yet, as my body feels pretty empty post Tour & sickness.”