The third stage of the SALOMON 4 TRAILS may be the shortest of the four days of racing but still offered a bit of suspense for some of the leading racers. In a last-chance effort to touch up their respective rankings before tomorrow's killer stage, the common suspects of the Men and Women categories sparred off – some with impressive results indeed.

 

Two grueling stages and hot summer conditions clearly have taken their toll on the majority of race participants by now. Anyone who suffered so far, will have felt worn for the worse by the end of today despite the relatively short trail distance of just 31,1 kilometers and the benign climb of just 1,834 meters. While this translates into more breathing room for the top-ranked runners, the long morning climb and hot descent thereafter must have felt like torture to the vast majority of the remaining 407 racers. Not even the good vibe at this morning's start could mask the fact that medical support seems to be in high demand among the racers....before even hitting the trail. 

 

What ended up being a full-day endeavor with summit bliss at 2,512 m for some, was little more than a three-hour jaunt for today's fastest racer, Tofol Bernat Castaner (ESP) who has been dominating this event. “I picked up the pace a little today because I knew the stage was going to be short. At the finish everyone asks how come I still good relatively relaxed but that is deceiving. My legs feel the strain of the last couple of days as well and I have to fight hard on the climbs too. But that is something the spectators don't have to notice necessarily” shared a smirky Tofol Castaner upon his pre-noon arrival in Landeck. 

 

Second to finish was Andrew Fallas (GB) who beat Thomas Hugenschmidt (GER) by a hair. While the photo finish made quite a splash among fans and supportes, Hugenschmidt comfortably hangs on to 2nd place overall.    Scotsman Fallas foiled Max Frei's chance for yet another stage podium position, however, displacing him to 4th rank overall. 

 

Suspense was also theme among the leading Master Men. The tossle between  Woody Schoch (SUI) and Xavier Rodriguez (ESP) continues with the Swiss reclaiming the red leader jersey in today's stage. However, his lead overall has dwindled to just four seconds which means that the outcome of the race is nothing less than wide open between the two competitors.   

 

In contrast, the leader of the Senior Master Men seems to have it all wrapped. Dr. Thomas Miksch, who has won the two previous stages, added another victory today and, short of injury in tomorrow's race, cemented his dominating position given his size-able lead.  

 

Angela Mudge cinches another victory among the Women 

Angela Mudge (GB) continues to race in a league of her own. After Claire Gordon's surprise victory in the opening stage, the race hierarchy between the two friends has been re-established with the dominating Mudge arriving 16 minutes ahead of her rival. Both athletes look forward to the scenic but ultra-tough, final stage into Switzerland tomorrow. After Kathrin Goetz (GER) had to pull out of the race today due to injury, Regine Schlump (GER) advanced to third place today. The winner of last year's SALOMON 4 TRAILS should be able to defend that position until arrival in Switzerland tomorrow afternoon which would also translate into a podium position in the overall ranking. 

 

The leading Master Women also delivered a nail-biting photo finish. In the end, it was a first stage victory for Eva Färberböck who ripped through the finish line 3 seconds ahead of odds-on favorite Julia Fatton. The latter took today's defeat in stride, as she had accomplished her goal for the day - extending an already remarkable overall lead.