Jeantex Bike Transalp 2009
A Day of Sprint Finishes
News Release / 21.07.2009
Mauro Bettin and Massimo de Bertolis have clinched the victory on the third stage of the 2009 JEANTEX BIKE TRANSALP powered by NISSAN. The two Italians had the best legs in a massed sprint after pedalling all the way from Mayrhofen to Brixen, the first Italian town to host a finish this year. Although Hannes Genze crossed the line after 94.90 kilometres and 2,131 metres of altitude first, it was team Full Dynamix who finished the stage as first complete pairing ahead of Genze's partner Andreas Kugler (SUI). The time for the winners stopped after 3:26:56.7 hours, only two hundredths before the one of the leaders of the overall ranking.
Thomas Dietsch (FRA) and Tim Boehme from Team Bulls 2 rounded out the podium in third (3:26:59.2).
After this close decision for victory, Massimo de Bertolis was very satisfied that all the work in the wind and being responsible for the pace paid off. "A few complained about the speed we were pedalling but this is a race! I'm very happy that we were able to triumph" the 2005 World Champion, who races his first ever Transalp, said.
<b>Bearers of the Yellow Jersey Don't Lower Their Guard</b>
The victory was even more valuable as the classification leaders of the Multivan Merida Biking Team once again proved their incredible form with Andreas Kugler following into the finish only a few millimetres behind Mauro Bettin, who had brought home the 2000 Transalp title together with Pascal Corti.
"We weren't aiming for the stage win. It was more about staying out of the scrap for positions. We didn't want to risk anything so we tried to stay in front" Hannes Genze explained. A wise decision bearing in mind the very narrow alleys of Brixen. "Of course we would have loved to win but tomorrow is the day. That will be a challenge!"
It was a statement which was underlined by the so far second ranked BiXS iXS Pro Team who came in fourth today extending their gap in the table by 2.7 to four seconds after two classified stages so far. Being so close behind, Switzerland's Lukas Buchli and Thomas Stoll are still in perfect position to attack the Yellow Jerseys.
Thus, Stoll, who had won the Ronda Extrema at the 2008 Bike Festival in Riva del Garda said the day before the royal stage will be on the schedule: "Tomorrow we will know what might be possible. However, we are still optimistic."
<b>Another Sprint Decision in the Ladies Category</b>
The ladies' competition also saw a close battle for victory. In an enthralling head-to-head duel, Milena Landtwing (SUI) and Kristine Noorgard (DAN) from Rothaus-Cube crossed the finish line after 4:06:05.0 hours, only 1.5 seconds ahead of runner-ups Peggy Klose and Claudia Till from Zwillingscraft 1. Yesterday's second ranked pairing Fiat-Rotwild jumped on the podium as third having needed 4:06:59.5 for today's course.See All Event Posts
