Craft Bike TransAlp

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Platt and Dietsch Grab First Stage Win

News Release / 22.07.2011

Karl Platt (GER) and Thomas Dietsch (FRA) have clinched the seventh stage of the 2011 CRAFT BIKE TRANSALP powered by NISSAN, which led today from San Martino di Castrozza (ITA) to Trento (ITA). ‘Team Bulls’ rewarded themselves over the course of the 120 kilometers and 2,598 meters in elevation with their first stage win this year (4:00:40.6). Swiss overall leaders Urs Huber and Konny Looser of ‘Team Stöckli’ followed as second (4:00:41.2) only 0.6 seconds behind, defendeding their lead of 3:14 minutes over the German-French pairing in the overall ranking – with only one last stage to come.

Third place went to Hannes Genze (GER) and Andreas Kugler (SUI) of ‘Multivan Merida Biking’, who were the best in a sprint of three teams for the last podium spot (4:04:20.6), thus edging off Germans Markus Kaufmann and Rupert Palmberger of ‘Centurion-Vaude’ as well as Massimo De Bertolis and Johann Pallhuber of ‘Silmax Autopolar Cannondale’, who were able to recapture the third overall rank.

However, in the final ranking, Urs Huber and Konny Looser were the ones who made a huge step towards their first Transalp title. The duo, which was formed this year, was the only one able to keep up the high pace set by the experienced Transalp riders of ‘Team Bulls’ in the 20 kilometers long climb up to Passo Cinque Croci (2,017m).

Platt and Dietsch tried to pull clear several times but to no effect. “We noticed pretty fast that they couldn’t break away,� said Urs Huber, who is now close to bringing home the coveted Transalp title at his very first attempt.

“That is – of course – an unbelievable feeling although I’m a little bit afraid of technical defects or other problems. But if it’s running as normal as over the last days, it should work out,� explained the pro based in Joni. “The title would be the perfect start for us as a team. We could go towards the future with confidence.�

<b>Team Bulls Raise its Hats</b>

However, the two dominant mountain bikers of the 14th Transalp shouldn’t feel too safe. Other than the big road cycling stage events there is no gentlemen’s agreement or “non-aggression pact� for the final stage of the eight day race across the main chain of the Alps to Riva del Garda.

Nevertheless, seven-time Transalp champion Karl Platt doesn’t believe in wonders: “Of course you aren’t done until you rolled over the finish line. But they (Huber and Looser) look good. So, I guess they will bring home victory.�

And the father of three also delivered some decent arguments for his forecast. “It was very hard today. We tried to attack several times but noticed pretty quickly that it just doesn’t add up. So we rode the rest of the course together.â€? Platt also explained the close finish: “There was no sense for a sprint coming down fast the downhill. So, ‘Team Stöckli’ decided to yield and dedicate the spot of honor to us.â€? See All Event Posts