Stage 3, Ramsau Dachstein // 69 km, 2800m
Start and finish in Schladming the king stage of the Alpentour Trophy was today, with 2800m of elevation and 69km. The highlight was the climb onto the Türlwand Hut on 1690m with glorious views of the Dachstein mountain and the ride across the deck of the garden restaurant, past tourists and back to the cross-country trails. For the Austrian aces obviously the perfect stage: today’s winner Alban Lakata and company, didn’t only bring home a triple podium, but also claimed the leader jersey for their home country from Leonardo Paez from Columbia. For the last stage, the 25-year old Daniel Geismayr, who came in third behind Lakata and Hermann Pernsteiner today, will wear it for tomorrow’s time trial. Many favourites, including Roel Paulissen (BEL) or Urs Huber (CH) were on the brink of despair at the finish…
Alban Lakata: “I knew that I have good odds today, because it wasn’t that hot. The Russian Medvedev kept the pace really high until the first split timing, that’s why we were there a good ten minutes quicker than last year. My gap overall is not that big anymore and I still have good legs for Sunday.”
Hermann Pernsteiner: “I lost a good minute right at the beginning, but my legs came good, I fought back and was even able to attack. A great day, let’s see what Sunday has in store for me.”
Daniel Geismayr: “I rode on the gas all day and reached my limit, that’s why I’m really happy that I still came into the finish in third and that I could take over the race lead. Of course the goal is the overall victory now, however, the fight against the clock will be a tough one.”
Roel Paulissen: “This stage always hurts. I had been in the lead group all day, however, in one of the descents my real wheel broke. Considering that, I didn’t finish that far behind. Generally it was a tough day for me today, there wasn’t a chance to recover at all.”
Tony Longo: “This was a brutal stage, however, at this event you have to ride full throttle every day anyway to stay on top. On the first climb I was in the lead group and then all I could do was defend my overall position. Now I’m in fourth, the cards are still on the table.”
Urs Huber: “Today was not my day. I don’t event want to comment on it further.”
Leonardo Paez: “I came here to win. Now I’m just sad about how it all turned out and after all those crashes I need to make a decision together with my team manager and the medical staff, if I can still race on Sunday.”
Markus Bauer: “Unfortunately this rotten Friday-stage can’t be fixed anymore. I really like today’s route, even though it was almost a bit too steep in places. However, I have to congratulate the Austrians, a triple victory is not an easy thing to do.”
Alexey Medvedev: “I just started my race too quickly. I was on top of the first climb in first, but in hindsight that doesn’t really count.”
Eliad Daniel: “This is my first Alpentour, just incredible. I really want to thank the organisers that they put together such a great and diverse racing circuit. I’ll be back next year, for sure. For Sunday I hope that I’ll do well.”
Jonathan Schottler: “Temperature-wise I thought I’d do well initially, however, my bike didn’t play ball, unfortunately. My saddle broke during a crash and I had to ride standing up for an hour. However, I reached the finish, that’s all that counts, doesn’t it?”
Cory Wallace: “This is my third Alpentour Trophy and it’s always a highlight for me. I’m on a European Tour and actually just bouncing back from injury. This is the deepest field of racers I’ve ever seen, honestly, it’s like being at a World Cup. I enjoy the European racing atmosphere. I’ll head home to Canada next and my big goal is to defend my National Marathon title in September.”
Sally Bigham: “It was hotter and more humid than on Friday, but I felt pretty good and raced a solid pace. But I’m don’t feel safe about my overall victory just yet; tomorrow is a time trial after all – anything can happen.”
Kate Flucker: “I did my best, but had problems getting enough air again and again. But I’m still content that I got across the line in second.”
Githa Michiels: “I felt much better than on the last two days.“
Peta Mullens: “Today I thought these climbs would never end. I didn’t even have the strength to enjoy the beautiful views that everyone has been talking about.”
RESULTS
Elite Men:
1. Lakata (Ö) 3:11:59,7
2. Pernsteiner (Ö) 3:12:20,6
3. Gaismayr (Ö) 3:12:23,2
Overall:
1. Gaismayr 8:20:38
2. Paulissen (Bel) +0:44
3. Lakata +0:47
Elite Women:
1. Bigham 3:50:14,9
2. Fluker 3:53:36,2
3. Michiels 3:56:06,6
Overall:
1. Bigham 9:58:10
2. Fluker 10:14:55
3. Kollmann (Ö) 10:20:23