Craft Bike Trans Germany
Sauser Defends Title and Pia Sundstedt Wins
News Release / 06.06.2011
The reigning World Champion Alban Lakata (AUT) of Topeak Ergon Racing placed second – just like last year – with a deficit of 1:13 minutes (11:06:11.4). Centurion-Vaude pilot Markus Kaufmann (GER), who took the Green Jersey for the best climber rounded out the podium in third (11:11:59.2).
His team member Matthias Bettinger (GER) celebrated victory on the final stage, which covered 99.61 km with 1,630m of ascent from Garmisch-Partenkirchen (GER) to Maurach in 1:15:06.2 hours. He commented; “I said to myself now or never!�. Last year’s overall fifth ranked mountain biker was the fastest in a sprint for victory relegating Kaufmann (1:15:09.5) and Lakata (1:15:10.0) to second and third respectively.
2011 Trans Germany winner Christoph Sauser (1:15:12.9) came in fifth, right after South Africa’s David George (1:15:10.5) and enjoyed the big ups by the crowd which he richly deserved. “I wanted to win again�, the 2004 World Champion from Sigriswil said, who also added that “there was no way for me to be satisfied with second after my last year’s triumph.� Due to an incredible performance on the royal stage, Sauser had laid the foundation to a successful title defense on day one.
“It’s just incredible. I love stage races. Winning an event which lasts longer than just one day is worth much more. It’s more fun … except of yesterday,� Sauser added, drawing attention to the third stage where he struggled hard but didn’t fall. In the end, the 2000 Olympic Bronze medalist came out on top again, despite all the attacks along the way, which his main rival Alban Lakata threw in again today again.
“I never gave up�, the Austrian Champion of the last three years, who finally finished as runner-up, stated. “So many things can happen all the time. So, I wanted to make sure that I would have nothing to complain about. And as I tried everything, I’m OK with the result.�
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