One of the newer marathon races on the calendar, the 3Epic combines epic views and epic climbing. While some pretty horrific weather rolled in for race day, the world’s best didn’t disappoint and raced hard in the foul conditions.
The Czech of Topeak Racing Team dominated the first edition of 3Epic – Tre Cime di Lavaredo MTB Marathon, ran in Auronzo di Cadore (Italy). His teammate Sally Bigham won the women’s race with authority.
The name is “3Epic”, and it surely met all expectations. Thousands of mountain bikers were at the starting line, braving the intense rain and cold, maybe in the worst day of this summer. The Czech Kristian Hynek and the Briton Sally Bigham, two of the top riders of Topeak Racing Team, will carry on their heart this Rudy Project 3Epic Tre Cime di Lavaredo MTB Marathon, as all the other riders, that completed this epic race. Everyone has a story to tell, and, showing their muddy number, they will say “I participated at the first 3Epic!”.
The marathon course (85 km with 3400m of climbing) has been held in the magical landscape of the Dolomites, a World Heritage Site, near the majestic 3 Peaks of Lavaredo, between the town of Auronzo di Cadore, Lozzo e Misurina, in the region of Veneto. There were many top riders at the start, like the World Champion Alban Lakata, but also Roel Paulissen, Walker Trevis, and Damiano Ferraro. Hynek crossed the finish line after 4h20’54’’: he left Walker Travis at 3 minutes and Tony Longo at 5 minutes. Alban Lakata finished his race in 5th position, after the Belgian Paulissen.
Kristian Hynek took a commanding win.
“I felt good, i try to go faster and see how the other riders reacted”, told Hynek at the end of the race. “I went full speed, but you know the races: everything could happen!”. “The track is amazing”, continued the Czech, “and i liked too much the last descent”.
Sally Bigham dominated the women’s race
Sally Bigham showed the same idea of Kristian. She led the race from the first metre until the finish line. “It has been an hard race, beacuse of the rain and the cold too. But I don’t change my opinion about the track: it is absolutely great, in a wonderful place that I didn’t know. I think i will return, for sure”.
Men’s Results
1 Kristian Hynek (CZE – Topeak Racing Team) 4h 20 min 54 sec
2 Travis Walker (SAF – Full Dynamix) +2’47”
3 Tony Longo (ITA – I.Idro Drain Bianchi) +5’01”
4 Roel Paulissen (BEL – Torpado Factory Team) +9’41”
5 Alban Lakata (AUT – Topeak Racing Team) +10’18”
6 Mattia Longo (ITA – Silmax X-Bionic Racing Team) +14’12”
7 Alessandro Gambino (ITA – FRM Factory Team) +19’50”
8 Luca Ronchi (ITA – Repartosport Lee Cougan) +25’25”
9 Giacomo Antonello (ITA – Wilier Force Squadra Corse) +27’20”
10 Massimo Debertolis (ITA – Wilier Force Squadra Corse) +29’59”
Women’s Results
1 Sally Bigham (GBR – Topeak Racing Team) 5 h 26 min 56 sec
2 Katazina Sosna (LIT – Torpado Factory Team) +19’11’’
3 Maria Cristina Nisi (ITA – Team Ennebi Bike) +41’25’’
4 Chiara Mandelli (ITA – Becycle Team) +1h04’25’’
5 Simona Beretta (ITA – Wet Life) +1h41’28’’