The third stage of the 2007 JEANTEX BIKE TRANSALP ended with a photo
finish. Andreas Strobel and Silvio Wieltschnig of “Fiat Rotwild” were
the lucky bikers who took home the victory (3:36:54.2) beating the
current bearers of the yellow leader jersey of “Team Bulls” by only
three tenth of a second (3:36:54.5). The battle for third on the course
from Mayrhofen to Brixen was also a very close decision. After 94.4
kilometres and 2.252 metres of elevation gain, the South African duo
“Adidas Mtn” with Kevin Evans and Brandon Stewart rolled over the finish
line after 3:45:40.0 hours relegating Alexander Pscheidl and Christian
Schneidawind of “Team Texpa-Simplon” with a tiny lead to the fourth rank
(3:45:40.4) and therefore was able to celebrate the first podium at the
Alp crossing.
That it would be a very close finish of today’s leg was
getting more and more obvious throughout the whole day. Right at the
only saddle of the stage, the Pfitscherjoch (2.251), both top teams were
able to race off the field. During the day, Platt/Sahm and
Strobel/Wieltschnig enlarged their lead minute by minute.
“I was expecting a quite start but Karl (Platt) pushed the pedal
right when we entered the ascent up to the Pfitscherjoch”, explained
Silvio Wieltschnig after the race. The Austrian said further on: “We are
proud that we won today. Maybe, it’s possible to attack a little bit
more. There are a few more days to come.”
His team mate Andreas Strobel added: “Normally, Team Bulls is
stronger than we are but never say never. You never know. Maybe we get
some bird wings in the Dolomites. But the focus is still on today. It
was our dream to win one stage and we made it!”
Canadians celebrate first victory in the women’s category
Who would have thought it? Marg Fedyna and Nikki Kassel of “Team
Raven Canada” upstaged the so far dominating women teams. After 4:17:00
hours, Canada ’s bikers crossed the finish line. More than two minutes
later, Brachtendorf/Troesch of team “Fiat Rotwild-Damen” came in
(4:19:08). Another 1:45 behind, twins Sandra and Peggy Close of
“Zwillingscraft” made it to Brixen (4:20:53). The two sisters were able
to defend the pink jersey despite a ripped chain.
Nobody really expected today’s winners, who gained the decisive lead
on the last trail 17 kilometres before Brixen, because Nikki Kassel had
to struggle with some health problems during the last two days. She
said: “I was sick and had high fever. No we are back!” The partner of
the Transalp newbie and now three time participator Marg Fedya
underlined. “I was expecting us to do well. But we had bad luck the last
days.”
“D’Uerner Oldies” with second leg victory
The lead of the fastest senior masters is melting because Walter
Ehrler and Markus Gisler were able to make it to the finish in South
Tyrol 32 seconds earlier than the bearers of the green jersey. The two
Swiss mountain bikers needed 4:16:41 hours for the route from Mayrhofen
to Brixen and thus are only having a gap of 2.12 minutes left to
Ganser/Niggl. The German senior master leaders of “Sport Team Buhler/Gat
Kempten-Gox” ended up as second (4:17:13) ahead of Norway ’s Terje Lund
and Sigurd Roeggen of “Ryegutta” (4:29:57).
Third triumph on third stage
Ekkehard Doerschlag and Heinz Zoerweg are on fire. The two Austrian
bikers also dominated the third stage of the JEANTEX BIKE TRANSALP in
the master category. After 3:45:41 hours, “Team KTM” entered the finish
sack in Brixen. South Africans Doug Brown and Shan Wilson of “Adidas
William Simpson” came in second (3:51:59) followed by “Val di Fiemme
Team” Piergiorgio Dellagiacoma and Gianfranco Degiampietro (4:01:19).
“Rocky Mountain/Haywood” unbeatable in the mixed classification
Alison Sydor and Carsten Bresser are still setting the tone in the
mixed classification. Team “Rocky Mountain/Haywood” needed 3:58:59 hours
for the third leg. Almost 15 minutes behind of the aspirants for the
Champions ring, Baerbel Jungmeier and Werner Fischer of “Ciclopia Pro
Team” made it to the finish (4:13:52). “Rye Mix” placed third (4:26:44).
The couple from Norway therefore jumped on the podium for the third time
and now also sits on the third rank in the mixed table.
Despite the big lead on the third stage, Alison Sydor had enough
time to “enjoy the scenery. It wasn’t that hard compared to yesterday’s
climbing sections.”
Preview stage 4: Brixen – San Vigilio Marebbe-Enneberg
The fourth day is less challenging for the riding skills but demands
a lot of stamina. To enjoy the fantastic views in the Dolomites the
bikers have to make it up to the Rodenecker Alp on a long asphalt road
and tiny side paths. After the descent to the Pustertal, another
challenge of the JEANTEX BIKE TRANSALP awaits the riders at the end of
the day: the Kronplatz. About 1,200 metres of elevation gain have to be
pedalled. After a drive round of the top of the mountain on the panorama
track, the route runs down to San Vigilio Marebbe-Enneberg.
