Christoph Sauser has clinched the opening stage of the 2011 CRAFT BIKE TRANS GERMANY powered by NISSAN. On the 68.24 kilometers and 2,557 meters in elevation from Sonthofen to Pfronten, the defending champion from Switzerland made clear that he is once again the man to beat. The Specialized Factory racer mastered the Allgau stage of Germany’s biggest mountain bike stage race in a time of 2:49:21.8 hours. The 35-years-old thus relegated reigning World Champion Alban Lakata (AUT) from Topeak Ergon Racing to the runner-up spot (2:50:16.0). Centurion-Vaude biker Markus Kaufman rounded out the podium as third (2:52:08.6).
With an eye on the deficits, Sauser, who had laid foundation to victory on the first stage last year, too, thus caused a small preliminary decision. 54.2 seconds are a pretty comfortable margin in a high class field like the one which entered the 5th Trans Germany – although there are still three more days to go.
“This advantage gives me the opportunity to ride more defensive. That’s the reason why I was aiming to win the first stage; despite the fact that I’m still not that top in shape regarding to last weekend’s World Cup in Offenburg”, the Sigriswil resident said.
However, the decision for today’s triumph was made at the last of four climbs up to Edelsberg. Sauser attacked the leading group of four which had been able to break away over the course of the ascents before. The Swiss rider pedaled away; only Lakata was able to hold the pace. “I was able to keep up pretty good. But then, Susi (Christoph Sauser) went on/off again and again. He got away with this as I wanted to ride my own rhythm”, the three-time Austrian Champion explained.
On the last kilometers down into the finish of the royal stage, Sauser, well-known for his skills on descents, piled second after second to his advantage. But his main pursuer Lakata isn’t in the mood yet to throw in the towel. “I hope that it will get better. Maybe, something is possible tomorrow. I will try to attack”, so the 32-years-old East Tyrolean.
Kaufmann with strong performance
Centurion-Vaude biker Markus Kaufmann also gave another proof of his currently outstanding shape. After he won the Tegernsee Marathon last weekend, the Meckenbeuren resident raised the ante today thus upstaging some of the top aces.
Besides his first ever top-3 result at the Trans Germany, he also took over the lead in the best climber classifier thus bearing the Green Jersey of the Bayerischen Staatsforsten powered by fi´zi:k tomorrow.
“I checked the best climber classification yesterday. I never had a special jersey like this one in my whole life before. So I was definitely going for it today.” If the 29-years-old will be able to keep hold to his lead in the special category remains to be seen, because: “My focus is on the overall standings.”
Pia Sundstedt with personal Trans Germany revenge
After her crash on last year’s third stage from Pfronten to Sonthofen and the following helicopter transport and thus her end of the race, the 36-years-old Finn settled an old score. Sundstedt mastered the leg in 3:18:10.9 hours and relegated Milena Landtwing (SUI) of Centurion-Vaude (3:25:35.) as well as British Champion Sally Bigham of Topeak Ergon Racing (3:26:30.0) to the second and third rank respectively.
“I put the hammer down right away and was able to break away after the first climb”, the CRAFT – Rocky Mountain racer recapped. “After my hemal surgery last autumn, it went pretty well today. But I always had my last year’s crash in mind, on every single descent.”
“Kombresser” best master
On the side of the 40+ racers, Carsten Bresser not only was able to successfully compete against his competitors, but also pile up a huge advantage. In his first ever master season, Sundstedt’s team mate gave an impressive display of his skills in 3:07:11.5 hours.
“It’s a strong master class this year”, the eighth ranked mountain biker of the 2000 Olympics, who had competed in a triathlon last weekend in Worms, stated. “But I was able to break away on the last 20 km.”
In a final sprint for the other podium spots, Arild Christophersen (NOR) from Team United Bakteries (3:10:23.3) crossed the finish line ahead of Lars van der Sloot (3:10:23.7) and defending master champion Johann Grasegger from Team Garmisch-Partenkirchen (3:10:24.4).
Senior master category: Transition of power
In the class of the eldest participants (50+), Werner Höpperger (AUT) of Team Tiroler Zugspitz Arena deposed the dominating senior master of the last two years in 3:23:34.8 hours.
Milan Spolc (CZE) of TBR-Bikes-JH Sachsen came in as third after 3:32:18.5 hours after Norway’s Olav Tronnes had secured the second spot (3:27:14.2) about five minutes before.
Preview Stage 2: Pfronten (GER) – Lermoos (AUT)
After the plenty up and downs of the first day, the second stage seems to be something known as déjà vu as there are once again many climbs to master on the 78.17 kilometers long course, which is peppered with 2,298 meters in elevation.
Check here for the stage profile!
For further information check www.bike-transgermany.de.