Kristian Hynek clinches Rocky Mountain BIKE Marathon at Ziener BIKE Festival Garda Trentino powered by MINI Riva del Garda, May 2nd, 2015 – Kristian Hynek (CZE, Topeak Ergon) has claimed victory on the longest course of the Rocky Mountain BIKE Marathon

News Release / 03.05.2015

Riva del Garda, May 2nd, 2015 – Kristian Hynek (CZE, Topeak Ergon) has claimed victory on the longest course of the Rocky Mountain BIKE Marathon at the Ziener BIKE Festival Garda Trentino powered by MINI called Ronda Extrema. The 2012 European Champion mastered the 90.43 km and 3,838 metres of climbing in 4:23.08,2 hours and therefore relegated his teammate Alban Lakata (AUT, 4:23.51,5) with an advantage of just a few seconds to the second rank.

As a result, the Czech racer, who had missed the podium in the last two years finishing as unlucky fourth, was more than five minutes faster than Urs Huber's (SUI, Team Bulls) 2014 winning time. However, the Swiss Champion rounded out the podium as third in the time of 4:25.12,0.

Before, Huber and Hynek were the two racers setting the pace after both were able to break away from a group of six which had been in the lead after the first climb. But in the end, Huber was the one forced to pay the price for a long time on the lam when he had to let go Hynek in the last climb up to Bocca di Tovo.

“I noticed that Urs [Huber] was having problems, so I tried to attack and break away which worked out. Thereafter I tried to stay calm and bring home the win although it was kind of gambling between pace and taking it easy,” said Hynek.

Especially as not only Huber was hunting him down but also Alban Lakata. The 2010 World Champion and 2013 Lake Garda winner had been able to fix his technical problems (flat back wheel, chain), which had cost him precious time, and pass Huber in the last climb.

“I tried everything to catch up,” explained Lakata. “But then I lost my chain in the downhill again and he [Hynek] pulled away. So, I'm pleased with my performance but not with my result.”

Finders keepers, losers weepers. In the end, the hard work paid off for Hynek: “It was my goal. Two years ago I lost due to a puncture in the last downhill and last year I got lost at the same spot. So I thought it was enough of bad luck. It's nice that it worked out this time.”

And also third ranked Huber, who secured the podium finish with 27 seconds ahead of former World Champion Ilias Periklis (GRE, Team Protek), was pleased:

“I ran out of power in the end but Kristian [Hynek] was extremely strong today anyway. I gave my best but unfortunately crashed in the last downhill. A top-3 result is always good, especially if the competition is as strong as it was today.”

Wittling wins women's competition

In the women's event, Swiss racer Michèle Wittlin (Stöckli Race Team, 6:15.37,8) came out victorious of a tough battle with Guzel Akhmadullina (RUS, Team Protek, 6:19.57,9).

Natalija Anderluh (SLO, Bicikel.com, 6:27.39,2) rounded out the podium as third.

The fastest female racer in the field, however, was Katrin Schwing (GER, Katrin Schwing Trek Domatec Team) who crossed the finish line after 5:55.5,1 hours and therefore claimed victory in the women masters category (40+).

2,500 registered participants

A total of 2,500 mountain bikers had registered for the marathon event of the 22nd BIKE Festival at Lake Garda and its four different courses (Ronda Facile, Ronda Piccola, Ronda Grande, Ronda Extrema) to battle for best and personal times in various categories.

Also part of the field, some 50 starters who took place in the first ever eMTB Marathon epowered by Bosch presented by Flyer.

Above that, today's marathon counts also as first stop of the MarathonMan Europe series (www.bike24-marathonman.com).

Results

Full results from all courses are available online and will be updated over the course of the day.

Garda Trentino powered by MINI

Riva del Garda, May 2nd, 2015 – Kristian Hynek (CZE, Topeak Ergon) has claimed victory on the longest course of the Rocky Mountain BIKE Marathon at the Ziener BIKE Festival Garda Trentino powered by MINI called Ronda Extrema. The 2012 European Champion mastered the 90.43 km and 3,838 metres of climbing in 4:23.08,2 hours and therefore relegated his teammate Alban Lakata (AUT, 4:23.51,5) with an advantage of just a few seconds to the second rank.

As a result, the Czech racer, who had missed the podium in the last two years finishing as unlucky fourth, was more than five minutes faster than Urs Huber's (SUI, Team Bulls) 2014 winning time. However, the Swiss Champion rounded out the podium as third in the time of 4:25.12,0.

Before, Huber and Hynek were the two racers setting the pace after both were able to break away from a group of six which had been in the lead after the first climb. But in the end, Huber was the one forced to pay the price for a long time on the lam when he had to let go Hynek in the last climb up to Bocca di Tovo.

“I noticed that Urs [Huber] was having problems, so I tried to attack and break away which worked out. Thereafter I tried to stay calm and bring home the win although it was kind of gambling between pace and taking it easy,” said Hynek.

Especially as not only Huber was hunting him down but also Alban Lakata. The 2010 World Champion and 2013 Lake Garda winner had been able to fix his technical problems (flat back wheel, chain), which had cost him precious time, and pass Huber in the last climb.

“I tried everything to catch up,” explained Lakata. “But then I lost my chain in the downhill again and he [Hynek] pulled away. So, I'm pleased with my performance but not with my result.”

Finders keepers, losers weepers. In the end, the hard work paid off for Hynek: “It was my goal. Two years ago I lost due to a puncture in the last downhill and last year I got lost at the same spot. So I thought it was enough of bad luck. It's nice that it worked out this time.”

And also third ranked Huber, who secured the podium finish with 27 seconds ahead of former World Champion Ilias Periklis (GRE, Team Protek), was pleased:

“I ran out of power in the end but Kristian [Hynek] was extremely strong today anyway. I gave my best but unfortunately crashed in the last downhill. A top-3 result is always good, especially if the competition is as strong as it was today.”

Wittling wins women's competition

In the women's event, Swiss racer Michèle Wittlin (Stöckli Race Team, 6:15.37,8) came out victorious of a tough battle with Guzel Akhmadullina (RUS, Team Protek, 6:19.57,9).

Natalija Anderluh (SLO, Bicikel.com, 6:27.39,2) rounded out the podium as third.

The fastest female racer in the field, however, was Katrin Schwing (GER, Katrin Schwing Trek Domatec Team) who crossed the finish line after 5:55.5,1 hours and therefore claimed victory in the women masters category (40+).

2,500 registered participants

A total of 2,500 mountain bikers had registered for the marathon event of the 22nd BIKE Festival at Lake Garda and its four different courses (Ronda Facile, Ronda Piccola, Ronda Grande, Ronda Extrema) to battle for best and personal times in various categories.

Also part of the field, some 50 starters who took place in the first ever eMTB Marathon epowered by Bosch presented by Flyer.

Above that, today's marathon counts also as first stop of the MarathonMan Europe series (www.bike24-marathonman.com).

Results

Full results from all courses are available online and will be updated over the course of the day.

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