MTB

360 elite mountain bikers from 32 countries start the Alpen Tour Trophy one of world's top MTB events

By World Reach Comms

Almost 360 of the worlds top riders from 32 countries started the first of four stages of Alpen Tour Trophy International Cycling Union (UCI) mountain bike (MTB) stage race. It started in Schladming, Austria today 11 June 2015 and includeded 16 national and three world mountain bike champions for one of world’s top MTB events.

This first stage is one of the toughest as riders have to tackle 2,900m of elevation, the higest point is 2,000m, spread over 59 km. The Alpen Tour Trophy offers UCI points, top prize money, tough climbs, fun single tracks and numerous steep downhill descents. This all takes place in the dramatic scenery of south-eastern Austria’s ski slopes at the foot of the majestic Dachstein glacier. The Alpen Tour Trophy continues until June 14th. 2015

The start of the 17th Alpentour Trophy in Schladming (AUT) was not for the faint of heart in the mountain bike scene. After a neutral start the field rolled out of town comfortably, but then 59km of tough racing awaited them. Hot summer temperatures and mud puddles proofed challenging even for the seasoned elite racers, bloody knees and grazed arms were no exceptions at the finish, but a regular sight. Last year’s overall winner and one of the favourites Leonardo Paez (COL) took out today’s stage victory, however, arrived battered and bruised at the Planai Stadium.

Leonardo Paez (Col./1.): The Columbian was barely responsive after today’s stage, a crew member had to take over for him, “Leonardo had a severe crash today and sustained a deep cut under his eye. Also his hand is very bruised, we don’t know yet if he has broken anything. I don’t even want to mention his bloody knee.”

Roel Paulissen (Bel./3.): „On some parts of the track I was stuck in half a meter of mud, plus on the highest point we had snow and I felt like in a fridge. However, because of the heat I had to drink a lot – at least four bottles today. And they say, that Friday will be an even hotter day.”

Alban Lakata (Ö/4.): „Leonardo had an incredible pace on the climbs, he took out a good three minutes to the lead group over 600m of elevation. On the descent into the valley we were able to catch up, but couldn’t take the lead away from him entirely.”
Rourke Croesser (RSA/6.): „Today’s head was a blessing for me, I really enjoyed it. The scenery is absolutely stunning and I didn’t think that the climbs would be that brutal. But I’m content with my position.”

Urs Huber (Sz/16.): „I suffered quite a bit and also crashed. On the highest point, the Giglach Lakes, it was really tough.”

Markus Bauer (D/20.): „It was quite challenging and risky throughout the day. Like many other riders I underestimated the spiky rocks and the steep descents. I’m at the Alpentour for the first time and to be honest I expected more gravel roads. I was unlucky also, because I lost a drinking bottle and suffered from dehydration a bit.”

Jonathan Schottler (US/54.): „I had a rough time for the first 45 minutes and the race track up to the Giglach Lakes was just insane. But honestly, the stage was really beautiful, but equally demanding.”

Sally Bigham (Gbr/1.): „I didn’t really know what to xpect, I really like racing in Austria generally. But the climbs were really tough and the entire stage pushed me to my limits. I’m at the end of a tough training regime and I’m glad that my legs responded well today. For now I’m ahead and I’ll defend my lead.”

Christina Kollmann (Ö/2.): „It was very rough, this stage had everything. For me this is the ideal preparation for the World Champs in two weeks. I’m born in Schladming, which is why the Alpentour is really close to my heart. And this first stage with a second place went well for me already.”

Kate Flucker (Nzl/3.): „The trails here are very similar to the ones in my home country, New Zealand, maybe even a bit steeper. My goal is to keep my position, even though I was surprised that I got third today. I didn’t think that I raced that well early on.”

Peta Mullens (Aus/4.): „Yesterday I woke up at 10am in Switzerland and was supposed to do a road race in Great Britain. However, my boyfriend and I checked what other races are on in the area and that’s how we decided to come here to the Alpentour. I started very conservatively today, was about 10th in the beginning. That was when my boyfriend Jarrod [Moroni] overtook me, he’s racing in the Elite Master category. From then onwards I picked up my pace and was able to catch many of my competitors and also Jarrod, whom I beat to the finish in the end.”



Leonardo Paez.  Credit: JulianeWisata



Sally Bigham.  Credit: Juliane Wisata



Giglach Lakes Panorama by Regina Stanger



Hans Knauss, MikeKueng and Benjamin Karl by Juliane Wisata.


Top Results:

Elite Men:
1. Paez (Col) 2:50:31,5
2. Longo (It) +0:32
3. Paulissen (Bel) +0:47
4. Lakata (Ö) +1:09
5. Geismayr (Ö) 1:10

Elite Women:
1. Bigham (Gb) 3:27:17,4
2. Kollmann (Ö) +3:09
3. Fluker (Nzl) +6:46
4. Mullens (Aus) +7:24
5. Michiels (Bel) +9:54