Challenge Kraichgau pre-race

Athletes who are racing in the 2014 Challenge Kraichgau are likely sleeping as we share this pre-race gallery, but there also was another race happening today. Enjoy the pictures below.

Sebastian Kienle's new custom painted Scott Plasma "prototype" sits alone in transition, but it looks like the modifications went beyond just paint.

One thing is for sure, the unique pain scheme matches his helmet and shoes quite nicely. The pic below was posted by Sebastian Kienle on his page a couple days ago.

Athletes were busy dropping their bikes off in anticipation of the big day tomorrow. Next year however the carpet likely won't be red.

Gina Crawford and Jenny Schulz check their bikes into transition.

Defending Challenge Kraichgau champion Yvonne Van Vlerken makes a fan happy with a signature.

70.3 World Champion Sebastian Kienle did his carbo loading just like all the other athletes.

That Hardtsee Mafia team is one of the largest triathlon teams in Germany.

The future stars of tomorrow were in action today in the Kid's Challenge.

And the racing is on for the kids.

There was also a German Bundesliga race happening today with 12 Olympians at the start.

And the females are off.

After a quick transition it is onto the bikes.

The main pack during the bike segment.

Former Pro Anja Dittmer was on the sidelines in Kraichgau but busy just the same in her new coaching job.

Svenja Bazlen went back to her draft legal roots here in this Bundesliga race.

The men are lined up for their race. Jan Frodeno was meant to start too, but he had to cancel his start because he got sick.

The main pack of men in this 2nd Bundesliga race.

The course is fairly undulating in the Kraichgau region.

Fans came out on Saturday too to check out the action.

All images except picture 2 © Karsten Täschner / slowtwitch.com