Two
combinations have caused an absolute novelty in the history of the
JEANTEX BIKE TRANSALP. Like yesterday, “Team Bulls” and the pairing
“Fiat Rotwild” were head to head and fighting in a photo finish for
victory. In the end, Karl Platt, Stefan Sahm, Andreas Strobel and Silvio
Wieltschnig crossed the finish line at exactly the same time
(3:20:19.7). Alexander Pscheidl and Christian Schneidawind of “Team
Texpa-Simplon” managed the 67.48 kilometres long course from Brixen to
San Vigilio Marebbe-Enneberg which was peppered with 3,012 metres of
altitude in 3:27:23 hours placing third.
Above all, the enthralling
finish of today’s stage made a splash, so all bikers, fans and officials
were talking about it. Nobody could believe that two teams finished even
after 67.48 kilometres. “That was perfect timing” said Andreas Strobel
all smiles. “We just rode our way. The result was an accident.”
Karl Platt, who is still in the lead together with his team mate
Stefan Sahm, said jestingly: “We are pros”. But he also summarized the
fourth leg of the Alp crossing stage race: “I was in a good shape today
despite the heat and the two long ascents. It was very hard but the last
downhill compensated the stresses and strains racing towards St. Vigil
with a maximum of 86 km/h.”
New leaders in the senior master category
The race in the senior master category was less close than the one
on the men’s side but more decisive. Due to their third day victory,
Walter Ehrler and Markus Gisler of “D’Uerner Oldies” were able to take
over the lead in their classification. Both Swiss mountain bikers needed
4:03:59 hours from Brixen to San Vigilio Marebbe-Enneberg and have now a
lead about eleven minutes on the former bearers of the green jerseys.
Franco Martini and Ezio Polo of “I Pensionati” came in second with a
time of 4:11:29 hours jumping on the podium for the first time. Former
fastest men in the senior masters category Ferdinand Ganser and Georg
Niggl of “Sport Team Buhler/Gat Kempten-Gox” placed third (4:17:38).
“Team Raven Canada ” with back to back win
Marg Fedyna and Nikki Kassel have also competed successfully today
after they won yesterday’s leg. Both Canadians made it to the finish in
4:10:43 hours. 2.5 minutes later, they were followed by the twins Sandra
and Peggy Klose of “Zwillingscraft”, who easily defended the pink jersey
(4:13:20). “Team Haibike-Fujibike” with Kirsten Roesel and Milena
Landtwing rolled over the finish line as third (4:16:13).
Fourth victory in a row for “Team KTM”
Ekkehard Doerschlag and Heinz Zoerweg have also won the fourth leg
of the 2007 JEANTEX BIKE TRANSALP. Both Austrians pedalled 3:30:32 hours
to San Vigilio Marebbe-Enneberg and therefore are leading the master
classification unchallenged. Piergiorgio Dellagiacoma and Gianfranco
Degiampietro of the “Val di Fiemme Team” secured the second spot
(3:54:26) ahead of Doug Brown and Shan Wilson of “Adidas William
Simpson” (3:57:12).
“Rocky Mountain/Haywood” undisputable leaders
Who should stop Alison Sydor and Carsten Bresser? After their
performance today, one must confess that no one can do so. Today, the
Canadian-German duo of “Rocky Mountain/Haywood” was once more the
fastest mixed team with 3:54:29 hours. Baerbel Jungmeier and Werner
Fischer of “Ciclopia Pro Team” finished as runner-up (4:11:47).
US-Americans Louise Kobin and Eric Warkentin of “Xfusion/Shoair”
celebrated their first podium placing as third (4:22:19).
Preview stage 5: San Vigilio Marebbe-Enneberg – Arabba
The shortest leg of this year’s race consists to 100 percent of the
debut route. After a partly very steep gravel road step-up to the
Ritjoch the route leads into the heart of the Dolomites. Across the
Armentarawiesen beneath the impressive Kreuzkofel the bikers cycle into
the Gadertal and thereafter smoothly up to Pralongia. The gravel road
downhill brings the Transalp caravan to the new stage town Arabba.
