Simon Stiebjahn clinched the opening stage of the 2016 Protective BIKE Four Peaks, mastering the 58.59 km and 1,886 metres of climbing from Leogang to Saalfelden in 2:19.53,0 and securing the Yellow Jersey of the overall leader with an advantage of 1.31 minutes on Christoph Soukup and Luis Mejia.
All three racers had already played a major role in the first climb from Leogang to the Schwarzleo Valley and further on on the Hangman-Trail back to Leogang cycling alongside Team Bulls athletes Karl Platt and Tim Boehme as well as Uwe Hochenwarter of Craft-Rocky Mountain Factory who finished the first of four stage on the respective fourth to sixth rank.
But decision was made in the second half of the leg which took place around Saalfelden.
“It was full on from the start. We were able to break away forming a leading group of six in the first climb. But when we reached the second climb, the other three had to let go, and I was finally able to enter the downhill in first position. As I know this descent to Maria Alm pretty good, I was able to outpace the rest,” explained Stiebjahn.
Stiebjahn wins solo on Stage One. © Oliver Kraus
In the women’s race, Team Texpa-Simplon racer Annette Griner earned her career’s first stage win in 2:49.18,2 in a photo finish ahead of Angela Sierra Parra after both had dominated the women’s competition side by side and in style.
In the end, the 40-year-old was ahead of the fourth ranked rider of the 2014 Four Peaks by only 5,5 seconds; a result which is promising some more thrilling and exciting action to come on the next three days.
Women’s winner Annette Griner (GER) © Oliver Kraus
But before it’s time to lock horns again tomorrow on 48.29 km and 2,157 metres of climbing, Griner was all smiles about her unexpected win: “It’s crazy. It’s my first stage win. I never thought of anything like this. I wasn’t sure if I was in front. I couldn’t believe it at all. I just kept focusing on my race and my rhythm.”
Nevertheless, the Niederhof native does fear the strength of her rival in the race for the title on tomorrow’s queen’s stage: “I had some advantages in the flat today but she is the better climber.”
Stiebjahn backs up at Bike Four Peaks
Simon Stiebjahn celebrated a back-to-back win on the second stage of the 2016 Protective BIKE Four Peaks. With a time of 2:25.18,9 on today’s queen stage which led over 48.29 km and 2,157 metres of climbing from Saalfelden back to Leogang, he extended his lead to almost two minutes on Columbian climbing specialist Luis Mejia who finished in second position today.
Uwe Hochenwarter rounded out the podium as third also moving up in the overall ranking to third position after yesterday’s second ranked rider Christoph Soukup lost contact to the leading trio in the final ascent due to a flat.
– Overall Leader Simon Stiebjahn (GER) wins 2nd stage © Oliver Kraus
Until then, the sixth placed finisher of the 2008 Olympics was making the pace together with Mejia and Hochenwarter in those painful ascents of the second stage constantly putting the Yellow Jersey under pressure. Especially as Stiebjahn had already lost his teammates Karl Platt and Tim Boehme in the first 750 metres climb up to Biberg.
“I had to fight hard today and to close a gap two or three times. So, I’m pretty happy with my performance today,” said the runner-up of the 2015 German marathon nationals after finishing the stage in dominant fashion.
But Stiebjahn also capitalised on a misfortune of his rivals. “I lost my chain and therefore some 30 seconds when I was in second position of the downhill,” explained Hochenwarter who in the end also blocked Mejia in his pursuit of the overall leader.
Nevertheless, the Carinthian racer who was last year’s third of the overall Four Peaks standings was still able to take a positive stock: “I achieved my goal by finishing on the podium today. I had to deal with the tactics yesterday. Now, it’s time for some climbing which I prefer more.”
However, if Stiebjahn can still keep up with the climbing specialists the former U23 European champion can rely on his downhill skills which make the difference right now.
The bearer of the Yellow Jersey whirled down the Flying Gangster Trail from the Seidlalm to the valley in 6.23 minutes beating Simon Schneller currently the best U23 racer wearing the White Jersey of the ‘Young Hero’ and Gabriel Sindlinger, who defended the Green Jersey of the ‘Speed Hero’, in the MAXXIS Enduro Challenge.
With the last days of the Four Peaks in mind, which will move to Kirchberg in Tyrol for the third stage (50.62 km, 2,091 m) tomorrow, Stiebjahn warns: “One little moment of weakness in those long and hard climbs can cost the lead.”
Change of women’s lead
And actually that’s what happened today in the women’s category. Angela Parra Sierra of CBZ Asfaltos / 7C beat Annette Griner of Team Texpa-Simplon by 3.11 minutes and therefore took over the lead in the women’s classifier with her first stage win (3:03.13,6).
Regina Genser of Craft-Rocky Mountain Factory came in third again (3:22.21,9).
In the master and grand master category, leading racers Udo Boelts as well as Gilberto Perini extended their lead in the race for the title.
Top3 stage 2 with Meija (COL) in 2nd, Stiebjahn (GER) in 1st and Hochenwarter (AUT) in 3rd © Oliver Kraus