Karl
Platt and Stefan Sahm have won the fifth of eight stages of the 2007
JEANTEX BIKE TRANSALP. Both pros of “Team Bulls” needed 2:35:56 hours
for the 50.91 kilometres long course including 2,337 metres of elevation
gain from San Vigilio Marebbe-Enneberg to Arabba. About three minutes
later, Andreas Strobel and Silvio Wieltschnig of “Fiat Rotwild” made it
to the finish (2:39:01). “Team Texpa-Simplon” with Alexander Pscheidl
and Christian Schneidawind finished third (2:40:43).
At the last ascent up to Pralongia, Platt/Sahm had pushed the pedal
and therefore gained the decisive lead after the top-3 of the first half
of the Alp crossing stage race were riding together the longest part of
the course. Both now have a lead of 8:42 minutes on second ranked
combination Strobel/Wieltschnig who had to deal with a crash today.
Tough day for Andreas Strobel
Today, the fact that the bearers of the Yellow Jersey enlarged their
lead was of second rate because Andreas Strobel of “Fiat Rotwild”
crashed on an easy downhill and therefore suffered injuries at the right
shoulder and hip. “Andreas lost control when he unfortunately hit the
top part of a rat. He slipped away with his front wheel and flew over
the bike. We then waited a bit to find out how he is doing”, explained
Stefan Sahm who was racing right behind of the unlucky fellow. Strobel
added: “I just slipped on the gravel. I wasn’t able to react at all. I
crucified myself to the finish struggling with bloodstream problems. The
whole time I felt sick.”
Klose twins enlarge their lead in the women category
Sandra and Peggy Klose of team “Zwillingscraft” were able to put
some more minutes on their lead in the ladies’ classification due to
their second win today. The bearers of the Pink Jersey reached Arabba in
3:23:39 hours. Only 48.21 seconds later, Kirsten Roesel and Milena
Landtwing of “Team Fujibike-Haibike” crossed the finish line (3:24:46)
and therefore celebrated their best result so far. 15 minutes after the
winners, third placed Marg Fedyna and Nikki Kassel of “Team Raven
Canada” came in (3:38:49).
“Team KTM” again unbeatable
Ekkehard Doerschlag and Heinz Zoerweg are all alone on top of the
masters ranking. Both Austrian athletes of “Team KTM” needed 2:46:18
hours for the shortest leg of Europe ’s toughest mountain bike stage
race. The second and third placed teams “Nordic Sportscenter” (2:58:38)
consisting of Danes Henrik Cohen and Thomas Aaboe as well as Doug Brown
and Shan Wilson of “Adidas William Simpson” (2:58:53) rolled in about
12.5 minutes later.
Despite their big lead the two owners of the Blue Jersey seem to
have some more reserves left. “Referring to the table, we don’t feel any
pressure from the runner-ups. Thus, we had the chance to enjoy the
panorama course and its beauty. We saved some energy for the last days,
so we can win them, too”, said Heinz Zoerweg.
“Rocky Mountain/Haywood” also with no problems at all
Alison Sydor and Carsten Bresser have also brought home their fifth
day victory. Canada ’s Olympic Silver medallist of Atlanta and her
German partner of “Rocky Mountain/Haywood” managed the course from St.
Vigil to Arabba in 3:08:41 hours. The Austrian-Swiss “Ciclopia Pro Team”
with Baerbel Jungmeier and Werner Fischer were 3:11:08 hours on the
road. 14 minutes later, US-Americans Louise Kobin and Eric Warkentin of
the pairing “Xfusion/Shoair” placed third (3:25:37).
After the race, serial winner Carsten Bresser said: “I guess this
was the nicest leg so far although the 50 kilometres were pretty
challenging. Alison is in good shape and we are able to ride our rhythm.
That’s good because our competitors are stronger compared to the ones at
the BIKE TRANS GERMANY. There are three chances left to beat us.”
“’D’Uerner Oldies” celebrate fourth triumph in a row
Walter Ehrler and Markus Gisler of the combination “D’Uerner Oldies”
will bike in the Green Jersey tomorrow again. Both riders from
Switzerland could enlarge their lead by some more 4.5 minutes due to
their strong performance today making it to Arabba in 3:11:21 hours. The
“Sport Team Buhler/Gat Kempten-Gox” reached the stage town newbie in
3:16:02 hours. About two minutes later, Norway’s Terje Lund and Sigurd
Roeggen of “Ryegutta” made it to Arabba (3:18:11).
Right in the finish area, Markus Gisler referred to the strength of
the “D’Uerner Oldies”: “We are biking consistently. In addition, the
older one from us (Walter, 56-years-old) is making the pace. He is
riding like a Swiss watch.”
Preview stage 6: Arabba – Predazzo/Val di Fiemme
A brand new saddle awaits the teams of the JEANTEX BIKE TRANSALP on
the sixth leg which is 76.13 kilometres long including 2,702 metres of
elevation gain: the Passo Padon which is in addition the roof of the
stage race with 2,371 metres above sea level. After a long gravel
ascent, the only section follows, where the participants have to shove
their mountain bikes across the ski slope.
Thereafter, everyone gets the chance to recover from the stresses
and strains on a 30 kilometres long descent into the Fassatal and
further on to Moena where it’s time to make it up to the Karerpass.
Then, gravel roads along the Templweg follow as well as the last peak of
day six, the Passo Feudo. On a steep downhill, the field enters the new
stage town Predazzo/Val di Fiemme.
