Gore-Tex Transalpine Run
Spaniards Beaten for the First Times and Injury Forces Womens Leaders to Retire
Oliver Kraus / 09.09.2011
The Scottish racers completed today’s stage from Mals to Schlanders across the infamous Rappenscharte (3,012 m) in 3:42:52.8 hours – quite a feat since the course packed in no less than 36.90 kilometers and a whooping vertical gain of 2.063 meters.
Already in second place in the overall ranking, Joe Symonds and Jethro Lennox took a huge bite out of the Spanish dominators’ sizeable lead today reducing it by nearly 14 minutes. Yet, it is far too early to write off today's third ranked Miguel Caballero Ortega and David Lopez Castan (3:56:34.2) who may have shown a chink in their armor but still have nearly a half hour lead with only one short stage to go.
Second to arrive in the midday heat of Schlanders were German Philipp Reiter and Frenchman Julien Chorier of Team Salomon International (3:55:46.6) who had certainly tried but did not manage to keep up with the pitiless pace of Symonds/Lennox. The latter had clearly decided to pursue the uncompromising mission of dethroning the Spanish leaders at least once in the race.
By the time they reached the first catering stop (1,824m), the Scottish racers had distanced themselves quite successfully from the strong vanguard posse of podium contenders, opening up a lead of four minutes. In fact, they managed not just to carry that principle across the legendary Rappenscharte, but even to enlarge it modestly. Symonds and Lennox were clearly exulted that their risky strategy to go full out paid off as planned.
“We knew that it was going to be a very steep ascent and kept our focus on maintaining our lead. After reaching the pass we gave our all on the descent to keep ahead� revealed Symonds, clearly touched by the triumphant finish.
Lennox, at 34 years of age the senior teammate of the two, added; “Actually our objective for the last two stages was to defend our second-place position. But it’s very rewarding that we were able to claim a stage victory after all.�
Symonds added “It’s good to know that we’re still up to it because we came here to win the race. The two Spaniards (Caballero and Lopez) really surprised us. Maybe we’ll manage next year.�
</b>Injury Forces Leading Women to Withdraw</b>
Things clearly didn’t go according to plan, when professional athletes Mireia Miro (ESP) and Stephanie Jimenez (FRA) realized at today’s start that the tendonitis in Miro’s right foot had not improved any over night.
After owning the race to date with six stage victories already and only two more to go, the dominant Women’s team decided to give it at least an honest try. However, to no avail since a pain-stricken 23-year-old Miro simply could not carry on upon reaching the first food stop. This misfortune brings what were well-founded title aspirations to an abrupt and unexpected end. A disappointed Miro said; “Of course, I knew last night that something was wrong. But naturally I wanted to see if I could get by.�
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