Arctic Team Challenge
Drama at Arctic Team Challenge
Søren Strunge (Photo Erwin Reinthaler) / 19.07.2004
The epicentre of today’s drama was checkpoint 3. This peak involved the first strategic decision that was required by race management as part of the tactical attack. After the opening 2-3 hour long MTB stage, with 1370 vertical meters of total ascent, the teams had to split up, 2 and 2. The strongest pair had to take the long way around to checkpoint 1 and 2 before meeting up with the two others at checkpoint 3. Which pair were the strongest? Saab Salomon had a game plan towards the strategic decision before they started on stage 2. But the challenging, technical and awesome MTB route was hard. So hard it forced Saab Salomon to change their game plan - causing crucial time loses in the transition.
After a bad start marked by a flat tire and a snapped chain the all male Team Tscherning was back on track, racing hard, and ended up winning their second consecutive stage – but only 4 ½ minute ahead of the mixed team Saab Salomon! They were close all the way continually changenating the lead. With a total of only 20 minutes I between them the game is on!
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