Kevin Evans and Brandon Stewart are the winners of the sixth stage of
the 2007 JEANTEX BIKE TRANSALP, which led from Arabba to Predazzo/Val di
Fiemme (3:38:05.5). After 76.13 kilometres and 2,702 metres of elevation
gain, team “Adidas Mtn” successfully competed in the final sprint for
victory against leading bikers of “Team Bulls”, Karl Platt and Stefan
Sahm (3:38:06). Andreas Strobel and Silvio Wieltschnig of “Fiat Rotwild”
placed third (3:38:23) ahead of “Team Texpa-Simplon” with Alexander
Pscheidl and Christian Schneidawind (3:38:26).
Over the whole race, it was getting more and more obvious that
the spectators in Predazzo would be able to follow a close decision for
today’s triumph. Right at the first ascent up to the Passo Pardon, a
group of six pairings was able to race off the rest of the field. It was
only after the Karerpass, when two combinations had to let go, so “Team
Bulls”, “Team Texpa-Simplon”, “Fiat Rotwild” and “Adidas Mtn” where
tackling the Passo Feudo together. “In the beginning, the race was
pretty mellow so we were able to stay with the leading teams. At the
second-to-last climb we attacked and were able to split the group”, said
Kevin Evans, who in the end crossed the finish line first.
Before the sprint for victory, the later on two top
rider-connections were able to gain the decisive lead in the very steep
last downhill section – with the better end for the South Africans.
“Beside my two national titles in the cross country and marathon, this
is my best win this year”, said Evans proudly.
Ganser/Niggl with a small comeback in the senior master category
The “Sport Team Buhler/Gat Kempten-Gox” is back to business after an
impressive performance today (4:13:11). Due to their good result, both
Germans Ferdinand Ganser and Georg Niggl diminished their gap in the
overall ranking by 8.38 minutes to 7.31 minutes to today’s second placed
“D’Uerner Oldies” Walter Ehrler and Markus Gisler (4:21:50). Like the
last days, Norway ’s Terje Lund and Sigurd Roeggen of “Ryegutta” came in
third (4:34:28).
“Team KTM” is still dominating the masters classification
Ekkehard Doerschlag and Heinz Zoerweg have brought home their sixth
triumph in a row. The two Austrians of “Team KTM” crossed the finish
line after 3:41:29 hours and thus relegated the South African connection
“Adidas William Simpson” with Doug Brown and Shan Wilson with a lead of
more than twenty minutes to the second spot (4:01:48). Baerti Bucher and
Renato Burch of “Sponsor Food Sports” managed the course as third with
the time of 4:04:12 hours.
“Team Raven Canada ” celebrates third day victory
Once again, Marg Fedyna and Nikki Allen proofed, what could have
been possible if Nikki Kassel didn’t have to bike the first days
suffering from fever. With a lead of almost six minutes to the bearers
of the Pink Jersey Sandra and Peggy Klose of “Zwillingscraft” (4:29:15),
both Canadians of “Team Raven Canada” rolled in the finish in Arabba
after 4:23:25 hours. Kerstin Brachtendorf and Daniθle Troesch of “Fiat
Rotwild-Damen” jumped back on the podium after yesterday’s setback as
third (4:35:34).
“We had a good day and fun”, said Marg Fedyna after the race. “The
high-a-bike up to the Passo Padon was our advantage. We loved it.” Asked
for what might be possible the last two days, she answered: “We do our
best and try to have fun. If this means winning it would be a great bonus.”
“Rocky Mountain/Haywood” furthermore on top
Alison Sydor and Carsten Bresser of “Rocky Mountain/Haywood” have
secured their sixth triumph at the 2007 JEANTEX BIKE TRANSALP. The
Canadian-German connection managed today’s 76.13 kilometres from Arabba
to Predazzo/Val di Fiemme in 4:15:15 hours. The “Ciclopia Pro Team”
consisting of Baerbel Jungmeier and Werner Fischer made it as second
mixed team in 4:19:25 hours. Conny and Walter Marquardt were all smiles
because of their first podium at the Alp crossing race finishing third
today (4:33:15).
Preview stage 7: Predazzo/Val di Fiemme – Folgaria
On the second-to-last day, the king stage awaits the remaining
teams, which have accepted the challenge of an Alp crossing. More than
102 kilometres and about 3,000 metres of elevation gain have to be
vanquished. But before everybody has to fall back on one’s reserves, 18
kilometres of rolling in is kind of a warm-up. Then, the bikers hit the
long step-up to the Manghenpass, which is not very demanding of biking
skills, just as well as the following descent down to the Val Sugana and
the next ascent passage on the historical Kaiserjaegerweg on which
Austrian soldiers went to the First World War. But thereafter, the
character of the stage changes completely. The route to Folgaria runs on
demanding trails and forest roads with the look of a saw blade.
