Craft BIKE Transalp powered by Sigma

Markus Kaufmann and Jochen Käß Claim 3rd Stage Win and are Close to Title Defence

News Release / 25.07.2014

Leading racers of the 17th Craft BIKE Transalp powered by Sigma Markus Kaufmann (GER) and Jochen Käß (GER) have clinched the sixth stage from Kaltern to Trento today. Centurion Vaude 1 mastered the 98.25 km and 2,894 metres of altitude in 4:07:37.4 extending its lead over third ranked squad mates Daniel Geismayr (AUT) and Hannes Genze (GER, 4:10:37.4) in the overall ranking to 10:44 minutes. As a result, the successful title defence is as close as never before.

Stage runner-ups Alban Lakata (AUT) and Kristian Hynek (CZE) of Topeak Ergon Racing (4:08:49.5) were able to cement their third rank in the overall ranking (+18:55) against fourth placed Team Bulls 1 with Karl Platt (GER) and Urs Huber (SUI) who are already 21:45 minutes behind of the Yellow Jerseys.

The decision about the stage win took place in the last, small but steep climb to Monte Calisio which Kaufmann and Käß had entered together with Lakata and Hynek. Before, the two teams had been in a bigger breakaway group which got reduced team by team when Lakata upped the tempo in the first long climb via Truden to Valdonega. A bunch of racers tried to catch up again in the following long downhill via Lago Santo, Sovina and Palu to Lavis. But when Centurion Vaude 1 and Topeak Ergon tackled the last ascent again, their pursuers had to accept defeat.

Same for Topeak Ergon when Lakata couldn't counter the attack launched by the Yellow Jerseys who opened the door wide to a back-to-back title win by bringing home their 2014 third stage win. “We stayed close to Alban's (Lakata) back wheel and were aiming for the last climb. When we noticed that he got into problems we went for it, extended the lead and nailed it,” said Kaufmann who warns against too early joy of victory. “We haven't won anything yet. We first have to reach the finish line in Riva. A lot of things can happen. But we are in a good mood. If we don't have a technical defect I don't think we will lose the title.”

Crazy Velo Shop Scott Close to Career's First Title

Although Cornelia Hug (SUI) and Andrea Fässler (SUI) lost the stage today against their main rivals for the title from Austrian Team Nakita Powermums with Silke Schrattenecker and Barbara Mayer after 5:12:21.5 with only 0.6 seconds, the main aspirants for the Transalp crown are close to their career's first with 30:07 minutes advantage over their competitors – with only one last stage to go.

Sarah Bosch (GER) and Danièle Troesch (FRA) of Mountain Heroes rounded out the podium as third also sitting in thrid position of the overall ranking.

While Massimo De Bertolis (ITA) and Andreas Laner (ITA) of AIL Trentino won their sixth consecutive stage win in the Masters category, the leading Mixed and Senior-Masters teams missed their six-peat.

The wearers of the Orange Leader Jerseys Sally Bigham (GBR) and Ben Thomas (GBR) of Topeak Ergon Racing yield to overall second ranked Germans Silke Schmidt and Sascha Schwindling of Herzlichst Zypern I (4:49:14.6) coming in 1.2 seconds behind of the winners who earned their career's first Transalp stage win.

In the Senior-Masters category, Henrik Cohen (DEN) and Thomas Aaboe Nielsen (DEN) of Scott Hareskov also celebrated their first stage win in 4:52:03.9. Leading oldies Heinz Zörweg (AUT), who not only fought the course but also stomach problems and Andrew McLean (RSA) of Rad.Sport.Szene Ausseerland Racing rolled in as third team of the category for the teams with a combined age of 100+ (+13.01). Walter Platzgummer (ITA) and Piergiorgio Dellagiacoma (ITA) of Naturns Mavic TV Unterthurner finished in second position.

Special Categories

While Jochen Weisenseel (GER) of Team Sigma Rox Rocky still leads the best climber classification called Sigma Vertical Ride for the Red Polka Dot Jersey, Florian Schön (GER) of Scott Bike24 MTN Team 1 sits in top position of the Kenda Enduro-Challenge. Frank Demuth (GER) of Centurion Vaude 3 leads the category for the best U23 racer looking good to earn the precious White Jersey.

The Seventh Stage from Trento to Riva del Garda

The Transalp concludes with tomorrow's seventh stage over 62.74 km and 2,325 metres of altitude from Trento to Riva del Garda which also features two tough climbs. The race will start at 9 AM CET.