Top three in the elite men’s, first and second rank in the women’s. That’s the Austrian answer to last year’s Italian triple at the Alpentour Trophy, which had its big finale today in Schladming with a time trial onto the Planai Mountain. Daniel Geismayr wins overall ahead of Hermann Pernteiner and Alban Lakata; Christina Kollmann wins ahead of Angelika Tazreiter.
For the overall winner Daniel Geismayr it had been the big revenge for the broken chain at the time trial last year. Then also in the overall lead, his chain had snapped on the first first few metres of the tough climb onto the Planai, but this year everything came together well for the newly crowned Austrian National Champion. With his Alpentour Trophy victory of today, Geismayr said a child hood dream had come true. It was his most prestigious individual race victory in his career so far he said.
Team mate Hermann Pernsteiner won with a race time of 51:53min at the time trial onto the Planai and secured himself the overall second place at the Alpentour. Double World Champion Alban Lakata is the third Austrian on the podium ahead of this year’s „King of the Mountain“ winner, Daniele Mensi from Italy and Moritz Milatz, the German Cross-Country Vice National Champion from last year.
In the women’s Christina Kollmann won the time trial today and claimed the overall win with a strong performance throughout the four days. She defended her 2016 race title against fellow Austrian, Angelika Tazreiter, who came in second ahead of Margot Moschetti from France.
A successful Alpentour Trophy ended today in Schladming – 400 participants from 30 countries climbed more than 9400vm through the beautiful Alpine Schladming-Dachstein Region. The four-day stage race will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2018.
What the winners said:
Daniel Geismayr:
„This year everything fell into place. I’m super happy. Two years ago I had come so close already to a win and the Alpentour was the very first mountain bike race when I started racing. Then I finished somewhere in 30th position I think at the age of 18 and now to win this event, seven years later, is just incredible! I’m so happy, this is a childhood dream that has come true. After my National Championship title from last week…. it’s just working well right now for me.“
Hermann Pernsteiner:
„This morning I already knew that my legs are great and I felt really strong. That’s generally how it works out for me at stage races that I feel better every day. I was able to pace myself well, started fast and could hold my tempo. For the last 10 minutes I turned it up another notch and then everything worked out perfectly for the stage win.“
Alban Lakata:
“I have to admit that today I felt a bit tired and not in top for, the Dachstein stage was tough for me. But I’m content that I was able to defend my podium position today.”
Christina Kollmann:
„I had a good lead today, but my goal was the stage win. The first ten minutes were the toughest, but then in the Talbach I was able to find my rhythm and even catch up to Angelika Tazreiter. When I saw here green jersey I was so motivated. I was able to ride away from her quickly and I’m really happy that I could repeat my win from last year!“
Top Results 4th Stage
Elite Men:
1. #15 Hermann Pernsteiner AUT / CENTURION VAUDE / 00:51:53
2. #3 Daniel Geismayr AUT/ CENTURION VAUDE / 00:52:21 +00:28
3. #22 Daniele Mensi ITA / SOUDAL LEECOUGAN RACING TEAM / 00:52:46 +00:53
4. #5 Jochen Käß GER / CENTURION VAUDE / 00:53:46 +01:53
5. #4 Moritz Milatz GER / KREIDLER / 00:54:02 +02:09
Elite Women:
1. #105 Christina Kollmann AUT / Team TEXPA-SIMPLON / 01:05:48
2. #115 Angelika Tazreiter AUT / Polizei SV Graz – Bigtime Maishofen / 01:07:46 +01:58
3. #121 Margot Moschetti FRA / CST Sandd American Eagle MTB Racing / 01:08:32 +02:44
4. #109 Janine Schneider GER / CUBE bikes / 01:10:48 +05:00
5. #110 Carmen Buchacher AUT / Velocity Sports Lab / 01:11:52 +06:04
OVERALL Top Results
Elite Men:
1. #3 Daniel Geismayr AUT / CENTURION VAUDE / 09:15:51
2. #15 Hermann Pernsteiner AUT / CENTURION VAUDE / 09:18:02 +00:02:11
3. #6 Alban Lakata AUT / Team Topeak Ergon / 09:20:52 +00:05:01
4. #22 Daniele Mensi ITA / SOUDAL LEECOUGAN RACING TEAM / 09:24:08 +00:08:17
5. #4 Moritz Milatz GER / KREIDLER / 09:27:21 +00:11:30
Elite Women:
1. #105 Christina Kollmann AUT / Team TEXPA-SIMPLON / 11:12:50
2. #115 Angelika Tazreiter AUT / Polizei SV Graz – Bigtime Maishofen / 11:26:04 +00:13:14
3. #121 Margot Moschetti FRA / CST Sandd American Eagle MTB Racing / 11:54:01 +00:41:11
4. #109 Janine Schneider GER / CUBE bikes / 12:14:36 +01:01:46
5. #120 Janka Keseg Stevkova SVK / OUTSITERZ cycling / 12:16:01 +01:03:11
Results detailed: http://www.alpen-tour.at/51.0.html?&L=1