No more rain, but instead feisty and steep climbs, challenging downhills and snow. The Russian Alexey Medvedev triumphed also on day two of the Alpentour Trophy ahead of Austrian rider Uwe Hochenwarter from Carinthia.
The Hochwurzen is one of the most popular mountains for skiing in the Ennstal Valley and the Giglach Lakes are a renowned hiking destination. However, the riders of today’s second stage of the Alpentour probably didn’t have any appreciation for these positive attributions. “Far out, that was hard”, was Uwe Hochenwarter’s first comment about the hefty 56 kilometers and 2,400m of elevation overall and the mountain stages in particular, which were on today’s schedule in the Schladming-Dachstein region.
Right from the beginning the winner from last year battled it out with race leader Alexey Medvedev: the 28-year old and toughest competitor of Hochenwarter was able to break away on the extremely steep and cliffy sections near the Ursprungalm, however, in the snow fields near the Giglach Lakes the Austrian was able to close in on him, even on the following downhills. “And then, on the last rock of that tricky section I had a flat tire”, struggled the Austrian with his fate. With no further spare tire he then had to finish his ride defensively for the last 15 kilometres and in the end crossed the finish line more than three and a half minutes behind the Russian rider (2:51:10). “Quitting is not an option and everything is still possible”, said the Muskelkater Genesis-Racer, who won’t give up on the overall lead just yet, ahead of tomorrow’s time trial.
Change in leadership among Masters
Now with his more than 5 minutes lead, you’d think Medvedev would sit back and wait to face the race against the clock. However, the Corratec racer is worried about “sore legs” due to the many sections the riders had to push today. On the other hand, the Russian, who is specifically training for the European Marathon Championships in Kleinzell/Upper Austria and the Marathon World Championships in Montebelluna/ITA, says that he actually favours steep climbs like the ones up to the Schafalm.
And also Jukka Vastaranta wants to keep his finger on the pulse of tomorrow’s time trial. The Finnish rider from the Olympic Champion Bart Brentjens’ Milka Trek MTB-Racing Team was constantly chasing the leading duo in range of sight. “When I saw that Uwe had a flat tire I was about to give him my spare one – but then, pfffff”, recounted the 28-year old. In fact, Vastaranta’s flat was caused by the very same rock that pinched Hochenwarter’s back wheel, however, he was able to also change it quick enough to still secure his podium position.
A different fate for Mauro Bettin (ITA): yesterday’s master winner came across the finish line in fourth after a flat and had to hand over his leader’s jersey to Robert Novotny (CZE).
Ralph Näf out
During breakfast the marathon world and cross country world champion Ralph Näf, who had been considered as a favourite for the overall victory, was still convinced that he would “attack”. However, at the first climb of the day the Swiss rider had to admit that it wouldn’t work out that way. “For yesterday’s fourth place already I had to fight harder than expected. Today the first neutral section was a battle”, said the Merida rider who had to give up with a heavy heart due to a suspected infection.
It was a better day for his fellow Swiss rider, Katrin Leumann. The incumbent XC European Champion confidently defended her lead in the female classification with a time of 3:39:44 and increased the gap to Mary McConneloug (USA) by another 6:41 minutes. Third, like yesterday, was the Dutch rider Mirre Stallen.
Adventure Apentour
Beaming with joy was Michael Crosbie in the event centre. For the Australian rider his long journey to Schladming had paid off at the latest when he reached the Giglach Lakes. “For the first time ever I’ve seen snow!” he laughed. “At first I wasn’t even sure what to do. Ride it. Run across it?” Eventually, he did as the other competitors did and stumped through the 30cm high remainders of the Austrian Winter.
“It’s fun to ride here”, said also Olympic Champion Bart Brentjens and confirmed the adventurous characteristics and the remarkable scenic charms of the stage race in Styria. While the 43-year old is not exactly as fast as in earlier days (even though it is still enough for a 30th place today), his two team mates are fighting for top positions. “It just pleases me to know that these young guns are right in front”, concludes the mountain bike legend.
www.mtbfestival.at
RESULTS of stage 2 Alpentour Trophy, 2.6.2011
Male Elite
1. Alexey Medvedev/RUS Elettroveneta Corratec 2:51:10
2. Uwe Hochenwarter/AUT Muskelkater Genesis Team 2:54:42
3. Jukka Vastaranta/FIN Milka-Trek MTB Racing Team 1 2:56:13
4. Periklis Ilias/GRE Team Protek 2:57:12
5. Kristian Hynek/CZE Ceska sporitelna-Spezialized MTB Team 2:58:09
Female Elite
1. Katrin Leumann/SUI Ghost Factory Racing Team 3:39:44
2. Mary McConneloug/USA Team Kenda/Seven/NoTubes 3:46:25
3. Mirre Stallen/NED Cube-Nutswerk MTB Team 3:56:03
Masters Elite
1. Robert Novotny/CZE Ceska sporitelna-Sweep Cycling 3:17:16
2. Micha de Vries/NED Cube Nutswerk MTB Team 2 3:23:14
3. Markus Bless/SUI Tower Sports-VC Eschenbach 3:23:45
OVERALL Results after 2 stages
Male Elite
1. Alexey Medvedev/RUS Elettroveneta Corratec 5:55:23
2. Uwe Hochenwarter/AUT Muskelkater Genesis Team 6:00:55
3. Kristian Hynek/CZE Ceska sporitelna-Spezialized MTB Team 6:03:47
Female Elite
1. Katrin Leumann/SUI Ghost Factory Racing Team 7:27:38
Masters Elite
1. Robert Novotny/CZE Ceska sporitelna-Sweep Cycling 6:39:29
—
Link to full results (scroll down): http://www.mtbfestival.at/index.php?id=42