The Endura Alpen-Traum
Premier Endura Alpen-Traum a Great Success
Press Release (Plan B) / 17.09.2013
The first single-day road cycling race across the Alps attracted 703 athletes among them several prominent riders from near and afar. In the end, it was Stefan Kirchmair from Tyrol (AUT) who claimed victory in the inaugural single-day race across the Alps. He finished the race in just 8:42.25,7 hours covering a distance of 252 kilometers and 6,078 m of vertical gain.
The racers started the epic ride in Sonthofen, Southern Germany, at 7 am facing less than desirable conditions to begin with. Not to be outdone by the weather, an astonishing 451 riders still committed to the full-length course to Solda, Italy. As it happened they were soon to be rewarded for their doggedness as conditions improved progressively with periods of intermittent sunshine. Another 168 road cyclists joined the peleton en route to Solda, Italy, in Landeck, Austria, for the final 146 kilometers and 4,315 m of ascent. Those who covered the distance within the set time limits, managed to claim the coveted finisher jersey.
Racers took the first three passes, Oberjoch, Hahntennjoch and Pillerhoehe, in stride. Yet, already on this series of lesser passes, a group of ten riders managed to break away from the field and started setting a pace of their own. By the time, the leaders reached the High Divide at Reschenpass their number had again withered to just a handful. In the end, the last two passes, Passo Umbrail and Passo Stelvio in Italy, favored a single rider, Stefan Kirchmair of Austria. The two-time winner of the Oetzal Bike Marathon demonstrated formidable climbing skills late in the race distancing himself from the small, remaining posse of pursuers. The jubilant 25-year-old ended the race with sizable lead of almost 8 minutes.
With enough time to spare before the second rider's arrival, Kirchmair shared: “It was an incredible race for me. Until yesterday, I didn't fell all that good, but my legs ended up being in top shape today. We started the race somewhat casually but by the time we reached Passo Umbrail all stops were pulled. I simply went for it from there on out and just gave 'er. I'm really happy about this victory at the end of a long season and I look forward to taking a break from racing for a while.”
Well-Known Germans claim remaining podium positions
He may have had to let Kirchmair go on Passo Umbrail, but Jörg Ludewig still was second to cross the finish line, albeit with a delay of 7:38 minutes on the winner. The former road cycling pro of Team Alpecin, nonetheless, seemed very satisfied with his race. “Unfortunately, I was not quite in the same shape as at the Oetztaler [Radmarathon] and Stefan was simply too strong for me today. But I'm totally happy with how the race went and naturally about making it onto the podium. This is a top-notch event and the course is outstanding. The premiere of the ENDURA Alpen-Traum exceeded expectations and I'm sure that the event will prove a big draw for many [road cyclists] in the years to come.”
Third to arrive in Solda, Italy, on the long course from the Germany, was Roman Herrmann (GER) of Team Centurion Vaude by Saikls, a reputable pro racer in his own right. He had hung onto Jörg Ludewig for the longest time, even gaining on him on the long descent from Passo Stelvio, but ultimately had to accept defeat on the drawn-out climb to the finish.
Given Ludewig's final one-minute lead, the third-ranked racer shared that “the season had not gone as well as hoped for. For that reason, I can appreciate a successful ranking at the tail-end of the season even more. A week and a half ago, I had a chance to ride the second half of the course, so I knew what I was up against. The ENDURA Alpen-Traum is really tough but at the same time very beautiful. Great job by the race organizers!”
By the time all podium positions had been accounted for and the top-ranked athletes had resorted to some R&R, the vast majority of the peleton still faced the formidable challenge of Passo Stelvio, Europe's 3rd highest mountain pass. All managed to make it to Solda before dark, however, and enjoyed a rip-roaring party in the aftermath.
Race results are available at: http://services.datasport.
For further information on the ENDURA Alpen-Traum visit: www.alpen-traum.com
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