Craft Bike Trans Germany
Trans Germany Ready to Go
News Release / 31.05.2010
Although the month of May didn’t turn out well for him, Dietsch is optimistic for the upcoming four days of racing: “I didn’t bring home any good results and didn’t feel so good either. But I think my shape is coming back and I hope to be able to race in front.�
But the reigning French Champion also points out that the look of the race will be a different one compared to last year. “Because of the reduction to four stages the race will be less tactical. You’ll have to give “Full Gas� in order to be in front. You have to be in front all day and cannot allow yourself the luxury to have bad legs on even one day.�
<b>Strong Competition in the Battle for Victory</b>
Besides his German team mates Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm, who won the debut event of the Trans Germany in 2007 as a team of two, the main contenders for victory might be two pros from Multivan Merida Biking. Reigning German Champion Jochen Käß and his countryman Hannes Genze both clinched three out of seven stage triumphs in 2009.
Last year’s opening stage however was won by another national champion. Alban Lakata (AUT) and he will be highly motivated as not only the first but also the last stage leads to his home country. He will get some big support from another big name of the scene, his German Topeak Ergon Racing mate Robert Mennen.
In addition, there are two pros with huge international experience who could finally rank in the top-3: World Cup riders Burry Stander (RSA) and Swiss Christoph Sauser, a former World Champion, are keen to do well at their first Trans Germany.
It’s also the first appearance for Peter Presslauer (AUT), a ten-time national champ in cyclocross, and thus another interesting athlete.
<b>Enthralling Battles to Watch in the Ladies’ Competition</b>
There will also be some great action in the ladies category. Finland’s Pia Sundstedt (Craft-Rocky Mountain) and the Danish sisters Anna-Sofie and Kristine Norgaard (Rothaus-Cube MTB) are well-known as fast riders.
There are also Team Haibike rider Elisabeth Brandau, Hard Rocx biker Nina Gässler, Danièle Troesch (FRA, Fiat-Rotwild) and Sally Bigham (GBR) from Topeak Ergon Racing who have all gained some Trans Germany experience already.
They all have to face Trans Germany newbie Birgit Söllner. The former road cycling pro is not to be underestimated due to her strong physique. And Regina Marunde a former pro from the 90’s, who has been an Olympic athlete, goes for it, too.
<b>Duels in the Master and Senior Master category</b>
When taking a closer look on the field for the older-than-40’s (master) and older-than-50’s (senior master), one can look forward to at least one duel in both categories. In the master classification it’s likely that defending champion Johann Grasegger (Team Garmisch-Partenkirchen) will battle it out on a level playing field with Craft-Rocky Mountain athlete Carsten Bresser.
On the senior master side, last year’s dominating man from the Czech Republic, Milan Spolc, will for sure have more troubles to win again as Allgau resident Ferdinand Ganser, the 2009 Transalp champion, celebrates his Trans Germany debut.
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