Jeantex Bike Transalp 2009
The Victors Ride Into Claim the Titles
News Release / 29.07.2009
Lukas Buchli and Thomas Stoll have won the 2009 JEANTEX BIKE TRANSALP powered by NISSAN. The two BiXS iXS Pro Team riders lost 11.6 seconds on the winners of the last stage from Andalo to Riva del Garda, Hannes Genze and Andreas Kugler (SUI) but did enough to take the title. Their rivals from Multivan Merida Biking Team only needed 2:33:10.1 hours for the 60.60 kilometres and 1,451 metres of elevation gain in today's ride, but, the bearers of the Yellow Jerseys were the ones to finally triumph with a lead of 2:53 minutes in the overall ranking.
The 2009 Transalp title holders mastered the total distance of 528 kilometres and 18,808 metres of elevation gain in the total time of 23:42:28.6 hours. Thomas Dietsch (FRA) and Tim Boehme from Team Bulls 2 rounded out the overall podium as third after they had finished today's stage as fifth behind of the duos from Full Dynamixs and Vaude Simplon.
In contrary to cycling stage races, where normally no one attacks the leader jerseys on the last race day anymore, Lukas Buchli and Thomas Stoll had to fight hard on the last kilometres of an exhausting race week. Their main contenders for the title didn't leave out any chance to start some powerful attacks.
Thus, the 2008 Swiss National Champion and the 2006 European Champion had to let go in the climb up to the last saddle of the week, the Passo San Giovanni. "We went full speed in the climb and broke off pretty quickly. But unfortunately I couldn't hold the pace throughout the whole ascent" Multivan Merida rider Hannes Genze said.
<b>Tough Battle Pays Off</b>
The two winning Swiss rider, who had both painted their helmets yellow to match the leaders jerseys, were more than just glad. "They tried everything", Lukas Buchli said. "It was brutal. I'm so happy that it worked out. It's a fantastic feeling." His team mate Stoll added: "We fought tooth and nail. I haven't realised yet that we really did it. I guess I have to calm down my emotions a little bit."
<b>Rothaus-Cube Secures Ladies' Title</b>
With their seventh consecutive stage win Milena Landtwing (SUI) and Kristine Noorgard (DAN) have impressively underlined their outstanding performance in the ladies' competition. The Rothaus-Cube duo crossed the finish line at Lake Garda after 3:11:27.0 hours, about twelve minutes ahead of overall third ranked team Fi´Zi:k Ti:m consisting of Susann Oehring and Katrin Neumann (3:23:05.8). Today's third placed team of Kerstin Brachtendorf and Danièle Troesch from Fiat Rotwild (3:26:10.7) placed second in the overall ladies' ranking.
After their triumphant ride along the home straight, which was lined by many spectators, 2008 mixed title winner Milena Landtwing stated: "It is a different win but always nice, although I have to get used to a new partner each year trying to find a rhythm."
A comment, which Kristine Noorgard could also have brought on the table. The Danish rider, who had finished in 2008 as runner-up in the womens category with her sister Anna-Sofie explained: "It's weird to not race with my sister. But a race is a race. And you want to win it for sure!"See All Event Posts
