On the fourth and last stage of the 14th Alpentour Trophy across the Hauser Kaibling mountain just like yesterday, the strong Greek rider Ilias Periklis dominated the field over 56 kilometres and 2000m elevation. On the last descent he even got away from the Czech overall winner, Kristian Hynek. Best Austrian today was again rookie racer Hermann Pernsteiner, Alban Lakata kept his second place in the general classification.
Under sunny skies a quick move decided the race right after the start. Three riders – Periklis, Hynek and the Danish rider Soeren Nissen – rode away from the peloton and conquered the Hauser Kaibling mountain. Until the last descent down the Planai finisher hill towards the WM-Stadium, only Periklis and Hynek were able to hold onto the lead.
The leading trio head off the from of the final stage. Photo: Regina Stanger
“All day I was petrified of having a mechanical and didn’t risk a thing on the last downhill section. I am more than happy with my second stage placing and of course my first overall win here at the Alpentour Trophy. This is the biggest achievement so far in my career. The Alpentour Trophy is one of the most important MTB stage races in the world and means a lot of UCI points”, said the latest overall winner Hynek today in Schladming, who came in fourth last year.
Behind Hynek and Lakata the Swiss rider Thomas Stoll claimed the third place overall.
The Austrian rider Alban Lakata from Lienz was able to keep his second place overall after a sixth place today, right behind Pernsteiner. “I feel like I have the one or the other kilogram to much on my hips still and struggled a bit on the hills today. However, I feel strong for the upcoming European Marathon Championships in the Czech Republic. On the other hand, a second placing overall is not bad at all”, added Lakata, who has won the Alpentour Trophy twice so far.
Lakata defended his 2nd place on GC. Photo: Regina Stanger
Talking about European Marathon Championships: Last year the Russian Alexey Medvedev claimed the title only a few days after his victory at the Alpentour… A good omen for Hynek??
The rider from Lower Austria is only 21 years old and has finished his first big mountain bike stage race in Schladming as second-best Austrian in the general classification in seventh place. “I can’t believe this – it’s insane! After my U23-Vice-European Championship title last year another big success for me!”
Pernsteiner continued to surprise at the Alpentour. Photo: Regina Stanger
In the Elite Masters field the Dutch Olympic Champion Bart Brentjens again demonstrated that he is one of the fastest mountain bikers worldwide. With a photo-finish against second Max Friedrich, he claimed the stage and overall title ahead of third Georg Koch from Austria.
The evergreen Bart Brentjens won the Elite Masters. Photo: Regina Stanger
In the Elite Womens’ field Sally Bigham continued her winning streak with a fourth stage win and took out the overall classification ahead of Nadia Walker from Switzerland and the Dutch rider Monique Zeldenrust.
“Saubermacher Cleaning Team” – everything stays clean!
Organiser Gerhard Schönbacher and his team have proven again that the Alpentour Trophy is one of the leading stage races world-wide. Not only did they attract a world-class field of racers, but they have also established their race as a trendsetting event with an initiative that saw two mountain bikers follow the peloton of the race, cleaning the race track of any wrappers or other rubbish.
“This activity has been welcomed by the entire Schladming region and the property owners in particular. I also want to thank our partner Saubermacher, who have supported us in bringing this initiative to life.”, said Schönbacher.
Stage 4
Male Elite
1.|Ilias Periklis / GRE|Team Protek|2:20:15
2.|Kristian Hynek / CZE|Ceska sporitelna – Specialized MTB Team|2:21:25
3.|Soeren Nissen / DEN|Team Elettroveneta – Corratec|2:21:28
Female Elite
1.|Sally Bigham / GBR|Topeak Ergon Racing Team|2:48:23
2.|Ann-Katrin Hellstern / SUI|Uni Team – Cult|2:59:17
3.|Nadia Walker / SUI|Stöckli Swiss Team| 3:09:54
Master Elite
1.|Bart Brentjens / NED|Milka-Superior MTB racing team|2:36:11
2.|Max Friedrich / GER|Ergon 24h Racing Team|2:36:11
3.|Georg Koch / AUT|Zweirad Janger Simplon|2:41:30
Overall results after 4 stages
Male Elite
1.|Kristian Hynek / CZE|Ceska sporitelna – Specialized MTB Team|
2.|Alban Lakata / AUT|Topeak Ergon Racing Team|+9:29 min.
3.|Thomas Stoll / SUI|BiXS-iXS Pro Team|+10:44 min.
4.|Tomas Vokrouhlik / CZE|BMC-SAVO racing|14:56 min.
5.|Urs Huber / SUI|Stöckli Pro Team|+15:58 min.
Female Elite
1.|Sally Bigham / GBR|Topeak Ergon Racing Team|
2.|Nadia Walker / SUI|Stöckli Swiss Team|+1:27:34
3.|Monique Zeldenrust / NED|Giant|+1:39:20
4.|Ann-Katrin Hellstern / SUI|Uni Team – Cult|+1:41:05
5.|Lorenza Menapace / ITA|Team Carpentari|+2:04:18
Master Elite
1.|Bart Brentjens / NED|Milka-Superior MTB racing team|
2.|Max Friedrich / GER|Ergon 24h Racing Team|+0,97 sec.
3.|Georg Koch / AUT|Zweirad Janger Simplon|+13:06 min.
4.|Robert Novotny / CZE|Sweep Cycling|+21:42 min
5.|Christian Hofer / AUT|Zweirad Janger Simplon 3|+35:14 min.
“Saubermacher” translates into “the guys who keep it clean” and that’s what the two riders did. Armed with plastic bags they spent up to seven hours in the saddle, picking up about 20 garbage bags over the four days. They were very busy, however, couldn’t wipe the smiles off their faces most of the times, working in such pristine environment… and keeping it that way.