Craft Bike Trans Germany
Sauser and Sundstedt Keep Up the Pressure on Stage 2
news Release / 02.06.2011
After his great victory on yesterday’s opener, the Swiss from Sigriswil mastered the 78.17 kilometers and 2,298 meters in elevation from Pfronten to Lermoos (Austria) in 3:06:30.2 hours. The Specialized Factory Racing biker brought home an additional advantage of 23.5 second over his main competitor and today’s runner-up Alban Lakata (AUT, 3:06:53.7) from Topeak Ergon Racing. Like yesterday, Markus Kaufmann of Centurion-Vaude rounded out the podium in third (3:07:59.8).
But unlike day one the decision wasn’t made in the last climb. “I attacked, right on the undulating and uneven track. I went full speed, relaxed and went full speed again�, the 2000 Olympic Bronze medalist said. “It’s perfect that I was able to gain some more seconds on the last kilometers�, said Sauser. He knows he only has to survive two more days to successfully kept hold of the Trans Germany title.
Commenting on the Swiss athlete’s outstanding performance close to the finish line Alban Lakata, who had aimed for a nice attack himself, had to approvingly raise his hat to Sauser. “I was always flat out but noticed that he (Sauser) was always able to keep up. I tried to step up pressure but he is definitely too strong at the moment�, the Austrian Champion stated.
<b>Pia Sundstedt again in front</b>
On the women’s side, Pia Sundstedt also clinched her second victory win in a row. The Finn of CRAFT – Rocky Mountain came in after 3:29:41.8 hours and was more than five minutes faster than runner-up Sally Bigham (GBR, 3:34:06.1) of Topeak Ergon Racing. Milena Landtwing (SUI, 3:40:20.6) of Centurion-Vaude finished third.
With this back-to-back-win in mind, the 36-years-old is optimistic for the last two days: “It was tough so far, but it went pretty well for me. I hope that I will recover well and that I have a good group again tomorrow.�
<b>Finish sprint for master victory</b>
In the age category for the 40+ racers, Lars van der Sloot crossed the finish line after 3:22:56.1 hours, only 0.6 seconds ahead of the man in the Blue Jersey, Carsten Bresser (3:22:56.7) of CRAFT – Rocky Mountain.
Title defender Johann Grasegger of Team Garmisch-Partenkirchen came in third (3:25:12.1), with only three seconds advantage over fourth ranked Holger Sievers of Conway Racing Team.
<b>Senior Master title defender fights back</b>
Yesterday, Milan Spolc was among of the beaten riders in the field of the 50+ bikers placing third with a deficit of more than 8:30 minutes. But today was payback time as the winner of the last two Trans Germany editions impressively fought back.
The Czech rider of TBR-Bikes-JH Sachsen mastered the stage to Lermoos in 3:43:16.8 hours. Senior master leader Werner Höpperger (AUT, 3:45:22.5) followed in second and the Team Tiroler Zugspitz Arena athlete’s overall lead shrank by a bit more than two minutes. Olav Tronnes (NOR, 3:47:28.0) came in as third.
SleepMonsters
