Daniel Geismayr and Hermann Pernsteiner have not only clinched the sixth and penultimate stage of the 2017 BIKE Transalp powered by Sigma but also have taken an huge step to successfully keeping hold on their titles by winning their fourth stage this week. The two Austrians racing for Centurion Vaude 1 needed only 2:15.51,4 hours for the 49.45 km long leg from Trento to Lavarone (2,002 metres of climbing) which was part of the Alps classic’s route for the first time in history.
26 seconds behind of the reigning champions, their teammates from Germany Jochen Kaess and Markus Kaufmann came in as second (2:16.7,7) therefore cementing their second rank in the overall classification, too.
Today’s third place was decided in a photo finish. Luis Mejia (COL) and Joseph Chavarria (CRC) were able to push it the most after a tough day of climbing over three stairs from the Etsch Valley to Alpe Cimbra, the high alpine plateau of Folgaria, Luserna and Lavarone (2:18.00,8).
Only three seconds behind, Jeremiah Bishop (USA) and Kristian Hynek (CZE) of Topeak Ergon Racing 1 had to settle for fourth (2:18.03,8) but remain overall third with an advantage of 17 minutes over the two riders from Latin America competing as team 7C.
Racing the 6th day at Transalp
The sixth day kicked off like a copy of the days before with the two Centurion Vaude pairs setting the pace in front going for an early – and this time successful – breakaway in the first climb to Cimirlo Pass and former fortress Forte Brusafer. The quartet then was able to extend the lead via della Fricca Pass and Mount Tablat.
2017 BIKE Transalp powered by Sigma / 6th stage Trento – Lavarone on July 21, 2017
In the end, the defending champions had more to give in the final descent through the Bikepark Lavarone earning their fourth in style.
“Things went smoothly today. Our plan was to get away with both teams in order to secure one and two in the overall ranking. That worked out perfectly in the beginning of the stage. In the end, we were a bit faster in the downhill. But you couldn’t ask for more than another 1-2-result,” said reigning Austrian champion Geismayr.
Before going into tomorrow’s final stage to Lake Garda, the 2017 world championships bronze medallist and his companion Pernsteiner are 6:14 minutes ahead of the second Centurion Vaudepair. Kaess and Kaufmann, for their part, are 2:12 minutes in front of Topeak Ergon Racing 1which should easily defend the overall third if they can get through without a crash or technical defect.
Favourites look good in other Transalp categories
Like in the men’s event, all other category leaders seem to be able to earn their respective title tomorrow.
While Massimo Debertolis (ITA) and Dax Jaikel (CRC) of Wilier Force 7C celebrated their sixth win in a row in the masters category (2:35.28,0), Meerendal CBC racers Esther Suess (SUI) and Jennie Stenerhag (SWE) did so in the women’s competition (2:58.25,7).
In the grand masters classifier Thorsten Damm (GER) and Peter Vesel (SLO) of Scott Fahrradladen Gudensberg stood out again in 2:35.28,0 hours.
In the mixed classification, Silke Ulrich (GER) and Sascha Schwindling (GER) of Team Herzlichst Zypern 1 were able to make forget yesterday’s disappointing stage (technical defect) by bringing home their fifth this week (2:40.10,9).