Protective BIKE Four Peaks
Simon Stiebjahn storms into Yellow | Annette Griner wins photo finish
Press Release / 16.06.2016
Saalfelden, June 15th, 2016 – Simon Stiebjahn (GER) has clinched the opening stage of the 2016 Protective BIKE Four Peaks. The mountain bike pro riding for Team Bulls mastered the 58.59 km and 1,886 metres of climbing from Leogang to Saalfelden in the time of 2:19.53,0 and therefore secured the Yellow Jersey of the overall leader with an advantage of 1.31 minutes on Christoph Soukup (AUT; Team Texpa-Simplon, 2:21.24,8) and Luis Mejia (COL; CBZ Asfaltos / 7C, 2:21.26,3).
All three racers had already played a major role in the first climb from Leogang to the Schwarzleo Valley and further on on the Hangman-Trail back to Leogang cycling alongside Team Bulls athletes Karl Platt (GER) and Tim Boehme (GER) as well as Uwe Hochenwarter (AUT) of Craft-Rocky Mountain Factory who finished the first of four stage on the respective fourth to sixth rank.
But decision was made in the second half of the leg which took place around Saalfelden.
"It was full on from the start. We were able to break away forming a leading group of six in the first climb. But when we reached the second climb, the other three had to let go, and I was finally able to enter the downhill in first position. As I know this descent to Maria Alm pretty good, I was able to outpace the rest," explained Stiebjahn.
However, the runner-up of the 2015 German Marathon Championships doesn't expect a sure-fire success for the next days as the course is pretty deep and washed-out due to the strong rain falls over the past days.
"It will be tough to defend the Yellow Jersey. I will give everything I have to do so; we will see what the outcome will be."
Griner comes in with small advantage
In the women's race, Team Texpa-Simplon racer Annette Griner (GER) earned her career's first stage win in 2:49.18,2 in a photo finish ahead of Angela Sierra Parra (COL, CZB Asfaltos / 7C, 2:49.23,7) after both had dominated the women's competition side by side and in style.
In the end, the 40-year-old was ahead of the fourth ranked rider of the 2014 Four Peaks by only 5,5 seconds; a result which is promising some more thrilling and exciting action to come on the next three days.
But before it's time to lock horns again tomorrow on 48.29 km and 2,157 metres of climbing, Griner was all smiles about her unexpected win: "It's crazy. It's my first stage win. I never thought of anything like this. I wasn't sure if I was in front. I couldn't believe it at all. I just kept focusing on my race and my rhythm."
Nevertheless, the Niederhof native does fear the strength of her rival in the race for the title on tomorrow's queen's stage: "I had some advantages in the flat today but she is the better climber."
Sindlinger earns Green Jersey
Although Gabriel Sindlinger (GER) over-paced the first climb the Gonso-Simplon powered by MTB-News.de racers had the strongest legs in the MAXXIS Enduro Challenge for the Green Jersey reserved for the 'Speed Hero'.
The talented rider flew down the 3.71 km long Hangman-Trail in 5:32,6 minutes.
In the other classifiers, the main aspirants for the win came out successful: Udo Boelts (GER; Craft-Rocky Mountain Factory) won the Master category in 2:35.18,7 while Gilberto Perini (ITA; avis pratovecchio errepy lee cougan) was victorious in the Grand Master category (2:37.12,9).
Simon Schneller (GER) of BIKE Junior Team was the fastest racer in the U23 category earning the White Jersey of the 'Young Hero' in 2:26.58,2.
For further information about the race visit bike-fourpeaks.de. All results can be found online.
Protective BIKE Four Peaks
Since it's inaugural edition back in 2013, the Protective BIKE Four Peaks has become a red-letter day in every mountain biker's calendar. From June 15th till 18th, 2016, four action-packed days in the MTB areas of Saalfelden/Leogang and Kirchberg in Tyrol will provide once again everything mountain bikers could ask for over 206.50 km and 8,146 metres of climbing.
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