2012 Craft Bike Trans Germany
Litscher and Brandau Take Stage 3
News Release / 08.06.2012
The third stage of the 2012 CRAFT BIKE TRANS GERMANY from Lermoos, Austria, to Seefeld, Austria, wrapped up with the expected final chord. Switzerland's mountain bike talent Thomas Litscher clinched his career's first Trans Germany stage win by coming out first of a final sprint of nine men. The Felt Ötztal X-Bionic rider crossed the line after 58.96 km and 1,864 meters in elevation in a time of 2:19.37,3 hours.
Second ranked Matthias Bettinger of Centurion Vaude came in five tenth behind. Overall leader Christoph Sauser (SUI) of Specialized Racing rounded out the podium of the Austrian stage as third rolling in six tenth behind of the winner.
Already two or three kilometers before the home stretch in the center of Seefeld, the tussle for the best spots of the showdown kicked off; always in the thick of it: Thomas Litscher, who almost set a successful breakaway some ten kilometers before the finish but got caught by the chasing pack again – just like yesterday.
According to this, the reigning U23-World Champion was all smiles after his successful sprint coup: “I'm very glad that it all worked out today and that I was able to benefit from my sprint qualities. I definitely felt my yesterday's attack in my legs and was suffering big times in the climbs,” said the 22-years-old, who lost contact to the leading group in the ascent to Ehrwalder Alm.
“But fortunately I was with a fast group with which I did work well together. In the end, we finally got back to the top in the descent to the Gaistal.”
Sauser parries George's attack
However, also the leading racers had to catch up as South Africa's David George, who still sits in second rank of the overall table, upped the tempo and broke away in the climb to the highest peak of the Trans Germany, the crossing via Ehrwalder Alm to Gaistal.
Until the highest point, which the so far best climber of the four-day event reached first and thus earned some more 25 points in the battle for the Green Jersey of the Bayerischen Staatsforsten having accumulated 70 points so far, “King George” was leading by more than one minute; in the end without any success – a fact which was quite foreseeable for the man in the Yellow Leader Jersey.
“Actually, that attack was no real thread to my lead. There was a lot of headwind in the long flat of the Gaistal. In addition, I was with the orange Vaude guys and knew that they were totally going for it,” said Christoph Sauser after the stage.
But although the reigning Marathon World Champion was able to keep hold to his lead of two minutes over George in the overall ranking, the 2000 Olympic Bronze medalist isn't sure yet to nail the Trans Germany title three-peat he is aiming for.
“Tomorrow will bring some additional 75 km. It's a long way and many things can happen. However, I won't take it easy or just wait and see. That's not me, not at all,” added the 36-years-old from Sigriswil.
Brandau wins second time in the row and reduces arrears
While Sauser had everything under full control on the men's side, his fellow countrywoman Milena Landtwing lost some precious minutes again on her strongest pursuer in the women's ranking.
Elisabeth Brandau had once again the best legs and came in first after 2:42.08,7 hours.
The notebooksbilliger.de rider therefore was not only one minute faster than her team mate Silke Schmidt (2:43.08,7), who was accompanying her almost over the whole course of the day, but also more than three minutes ahead of Milena Landtwing (2:45.27,9).
The Swiss Centurion Vaude racer know has only less than five minutes left on Brandau, who – however – doesn't really believe in her chance for another title after 2010.
“I can't imagine that there will be a slight chance for it. I guess that they will go in a group, which would make it almost impossible to make up some time,” said the 26-years-old from Schoenaich.
Laner wins / Strobel underlines ambition for Master title
Although Andreas Laner (ITA) of Team Scott claimed a back-to back win in the master category in 2:24.42,0 hours beating Andreas Strobel just like yesterday by only one second (2:24.42,7), it was the Centurion Vaude athlete, who smiled the most.
The top rider of the 40+ classifier was able to extend his lead on overall second ranked mountain biker Carsten Bresser of CRAFT – Rocky Mountain again, who came in as fourth almost with the same time as third ranked Heinz Zoerweg (AUT) of Factory Cube (2:27.01,5).
Due to some more 2:30 minutes, the Garmisch-Partenkirchen resident now is five minutes ahead in the battle for the Blue Jersey with only one more stage to come leading straight into his home town.
Henrik Cohen with first victory
Denmark's Henrik Cohen of Team Geels has secured his first ever Trans Germany stage win in 2:41.25,7 hours today but couldn't put second ranked senior master Walter Perkmann (ITA) of CRAFT and Friends (2:44.08,4) under pressure. The bearer of the Green Leader Jersey representing the fastest 50+ racer is still some twelve minutes in front.
Werner Hoepperger (AUT) of Team Tiroler Zugspitz Arena once again finished in third position (2:44.45,7).
Results of the third stage
Today's results are already online:
http://services.datasport.com/2012/mtb/transgermany/etappe3/default.htm
Stage #4
Tomorrow's fourth and last stage will lead 78 km and 1,700 m in elevation from Seefeld, Austria, to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.
Altitude profile of stage 4:
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