For four days World, Olympic and National Champions from 30 countries will be competing for UCI points and a lucrative sum of prize money in the Schladming Dachstein region. Everyone is awaiting the big revenge race by mountain bike ace Alban Lakata: the double marathon World Champion lost last year’s edition of the race on day two because he lost his way together with the lead group. It had been his own fault, as he admitted later, “Of course I regret such a dumb mistake.” And who knows – maybe this year he’ll be luckier and race towards his third victory in Schladming.
After a green, white and red stage win series by the Italians on the first three days Tony Longo claimed last year’s win, defending his victory from 2015.
The local contender Christine Kollmann secured the overall win in the women’s division for Austria ahead of the Dutch rider Karen Brouwer and the British rider Sharon Laws. “The event was really well organised and I had fun riding here, I’ll be back next year for sure”, Kollmann praised the organising committee around Gerhard Schönbacher.
Mountain bikers stream into Schladming for the Alpentour Trophy
More than 400 participants from 30 countries will be participating at the Alpentour Trophy in Schladming. That means that together with their supporters, there will be more then 650 people present at the daily dinner function with winners celebration at the Congress Centre in Schladming.
The race of truth
In cycling, a time trial is called the “race of truth.” Last year the Austrian Pernsteiner won the battle against the clock. In a new record time of 47:48 minutes he won the time trial on the last day and spectators said that the practically flew across the finish line. He was very content with his overall result, a fifth place, admitting that he had hoped for a better position, “Next year I’ll attack again with force!”
Pernsteiner is climbing pretty well. Seen here at the Alpen Tour Trophy.
Trails of World Champions!
The mountain bikers will race down the World Championship slopes of the skiers into the finishing area of the “Planet Plainai”, where the Ski World Championships took place in 2013. These spectacular trail sections are unique and each stage is different – every day the field of racers will leave Schladming in a different direction. However, the beautiful alpine panorama will remain the same.
Favourites in the men’s:
The Austrian contenders are Alban Lakata, Daniel Geismayer and Hermann Pernsteiner. The international competition will be made up by: Sebastian Carabin BEL, Morits Milatz GER, Nankervis Tasman AUS, Hans Becking NED.
Favourites in the women’s:
The Austrian Christine Kollmann will try to defend her title from last year against: Yana Belamoina UKR, Alice Pirard BEL and Sosna Katazina LIT. As Belamoina is fresh off a World Cup win, she should be a race favourite!