Protective BIKE Four Peaks
Simon Stiebjahn again in front - Parra Sierra takes over women lead
Press Release / 17.06.2016
Leogang, June 16th, 2016 – Simon Stiebjahn (GER) has celebrated a back-to-back win on the second stage of the 2016 Protective BIKE Four Peaks. The Stuttgart native riding for Team Bulls clocked in a time of 2:25.18,9 on today's queen stage which led over 48.29 km and 2,157 metres of climbing from Saalfelden back to Leogang. He therefore extended his lead to almost two minutes on Columbian climbing specialist Luis Mejia (CBZ Asfaltos / 7C, 2:25.38,7) who finished in second position today.
Uwe Hochenwarter (AUT; Craft-Rocky Mountain Factory, 2:26.33,8) rounded out the podium as third also moving up in the overall ranking to third position after yesterday's second ranked rider Christoph Soukup (AUT; Team Texpa-Simplon, 2:37.37,9) lost contact to the leading trio in the final ascent due to a flat.
Until then, the sixth of the 2008 Olympics was making the pace together with Mejia and Hochenwarter in those painful ascents of the second stage constantly putting the Yellow Jersey under pressure. Especially as Stiebjahn had already lost his teammates Karl Platt (GER) and Tim Boehme (GER) in the first 750 metres climb up to Biberg.
"I had to fight hard today and to close a gap two or three times. So, I'm pretty happy with my performance today," said the runner-up of the 2015 German marathon nationals after finishing the stage in dominant fashion.
But Stiebjahn also capitalized on a misfortune of his rivals. "I lost my chain and therefore some 30 seconds when I was in second position of the downhill," explained Hochenwarter who in the end also blocked Mejia in his pursuit of the overall leader.
Nevertheless, the Carinthian racer who was last year's third of the overall Four Peaks standings was still able to take a positive stock: "I achieved my goal by finishing on the podium today. I had to deal with the tactics yesterday. Now, it's time for some climbing which I prefer more."
However, if Stiebjahn can still keep up with the climbing specialists the former U23 European champion can rely on his downhill skills which make the difference right now.
The bearer of the Yellow Jersey whirled down the Flying Gangster Trail from the Seidlalm to the valley in 6.23 minutes beating Simon Schneller (GER; BIKE Junior Team), currently the best U23 racer wearing the White Jersey of the 'Young Hero' and Gabriel Sindlinger (GER; Gonso-Simplon powered by MTB-News.de), who defended the Green Jersey of the 'Speed Hero', in the MAXXIS Enduro Challenge.
With the last days of the Four Peaks in mind, which will move to Kirchberg in Tyrol for the third stage (50.62 km, 2,091 m) tomorrow, Stiebjahn warns: "One little moment of weakness in those long and hard climbs can cost the lead."
Change of women lead
And actually that's what happened today in the women's category. Angela Parra Sierra of CBZ Asfaltos / 7C beat Annette Griner (GER) of Team Texpa-Simplon by 3.11 minutes and therefore took over the lead in the women's classifier with her first stage win (3:03.13,6).
Regina Genser (GER) of Craft-Rocky Mountain Factory came in third again (3:22.21,9).
In the master and grand master category, leading racers Udo Boelts (GER; Craft-Rocky Mountain Factory, 2:42.36,9) as well as Gilberto Perini (ITA, avis pratovecchio errepy lee cougan), 2:49.18,0) extended their lead in the race for the title.
For further information about the race visit bike-fourpeaks.de.
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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