Simon Stiebjahn undisputed champion - Parra Sierra claims women's title - Biathlon ace Erik Lesser 126th of men's category

Press Release / 19.06.2016

­Kirchberg in Tyrol, June 18th, 2016 – By also winning the last of four stages Simon Stiebjahn (GER) has impressively underlined why he is the undisputed champion of the 2016 Protective BIKE Four Peaks. The Stuttgart native mastered the final stage with start and finish in Kirchberg in Tyrol (49km, 2,011m) in 2:21.39,3 hours relegating overall second racer Luis Mejia (COL; CBZ Asfaltos | 7C, 2:22.35,3) to the second rank with Austria's Christoph Soukup of Team Texpa Simplon rounding out today's podium as third (2:23.45,7).

In total, the Team Bulls athlete sat 9:24.48,2 hours in the saddle at the four-day stage race (206.50km, 8,145,) to bring home one of his career's biggest triumphs so far. "It's nice to win a stage race. I'm very happy that I was able to clinch all four stages. That's pretty rare. Now, I'm pretty confident for the world championships next week," said the 26-year-old after his first Four Peaks participation.

However, the runner-up of the 2015 German marathon championships had to admit that the road to the title wasn't an easy one: "It's been four very tough stages. And also today my rivals tried everything in the climbs to put me under pressure – especial Luis [Mejia]."

But in the end, it was Stiebjahn being the only one to follow the pace of his Columbian competitor in the final climb to Pengelstein which led to the same showdown as on the last two days. Stiebjahn entered the downhill in first position and outpaced Mejia on the famous Fleckalm-Trail by almost one minute therefore bringing home another safe stage win and the title in dominant fashion.

Behind of the 2012 U23 European champion and Mejia it was Uwe Hochenwarter (AUT; Craft-Rocky Mountain Factory) securing the third spot in the overall ranking after four thrilling days in the states of Salzburg and Tyrol.

Parra Sierra earns the title

Other than her CBZ Asfaltos / 7C teammate Mejia women's leader Angela Parra Sierra secured the Four Peaks title winning her third consecutive stage (2:58.20,0) ahead of the respective second and third feamle mountain bikers of the overall ranking Annette Griner (GER; Team Texpa-Simplon, 2:58.29,5) and Regina Genser (GER; Craft-Rocky Mountain Factory, 3:03.38,9).

As a result, the climbing specialist from Columbia celebrated a perfect redemption for her 2014 fourth rank finish posting a total time of 11:41.55,1: "I'm very, very happy. After 2014, I knew that I could do much better. So I prepared very well for this race. I'm thankful that my team did believe in me and offered me the chance to prove everyone what I'm capable of," explained Parra Sierra.

Favourites take home the glory

In all other categories, the leading racers were able to defend their lead, too.

Gilberto Perini (ITA; avis pratovecchio errepy lee cougan) was unconquerable in the grand master category. In the master classifier, Udo Boelts (GER; Craft-Rocky Mountain Factory) finished the race on the top seat of the overall ranking whilst having to settle for third today behind of his teammate Michael Anthes (GER) and Markus Biersack (GER; Veloclub Ratisbona Regensburg) who both rounded out the overall master podium as second and third, respectively. Simon Schneller (GER; BIKE Junior Team) won the White Jersey for the 'Young Hero' as best ranked U23 racer. Gabriel Sindlinger (GER; Gonso-Simplon powered by MTB-News.de) impressed with his skills in the MAXXIS Enduro Challenge being awarded with the Green Jersey for the 'Speed Hero'.

Biathlon ace draws positive line – despite some bad luck

2015 two-time biathlon world champion Erik Lesser's second Four Peaks wrapped up other than expected. The German winter sport athlete who had earned silver at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games twice had to burry his hopes for a top-100 result after technical problems with his chain forced him to run 16km on the opening stage.

Nevertheless, Lesser was pleased with how things ended up for him at the four-day event in Austria: "It was tough due to the first stage. But I had no problems on the other three days. It was a nice course, a nice race and a welcome change in the daily training routine for the next winter season," the 126th best racer of the men category said.

For further information about the race visit bike-fourpeaks.de.

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