Cycling: Halftime at the European Enduro Series! The third race in the series at Kronplatz in Italy this weekend also underscored the top-class character of the series. After six strenuous stages with a total of more than 2500 measured depth meters, Matthias Stonig and Raphaela Richter won the pro categories.
While the riders had to reach the first two stages on their own, various lifts helped with the last four stages - and they were very welcome after the exhausting, pedal-heavy second stage, on which Matthias Stonig (AUT - MS Mondraker) demonstrated the greatest pedaling power.
The third stage was a true rollercoaster of countless perfectly built berms, while stage number four not only impressed with a fast, natural singletrack but also with one of the most beautifully situated starting points in an enduro race. Stage 5 and Stage 6 had more bike park character again: berms to berms, peppered with individual wooden elements, we headed down to the valley. Although there wasn't a single counter climb, both stages were physically demanding due to their length, even the fastest riders didn't crack the 10 minute mark here.
After the last drivers - exhausted but happy - crossed the finish line, the winners of the day could be chosen. Matthias Stonig was able to improve on his fourth place from the prologue and secured victory in the Pro Men category with a 14-second lead over Ludwig Döhl (GER – Cube Action Team). Marco Arnold (SUI - Giant-Swiss-Team) was third, closely followed by Heyden Lee (NZL - Giant/Fox Gravity NZ) and Robert Williams (GBR - UK WTB enduro Team).
With best times on all stages, Raphaela Richter (GER - Radon Factory Enduro) dominated the women's field and was more than a minute ahead of Birgit Braumann (AUT - Trek Gravity Girls). Third was Alexa Hüni (GER - Team Centurion Vaude), followed by Sandra Börner (GER - Chassis Fahrnau/SG) and Stephanie Teltscher (GER - Carver Trailfoundation) in fourth and fifth place.
In the Masters category, Rüdiger Jahnel (AUT - Specialized-mountainbiker.at) was able to keep his first place in the prologue and won ahead of Benedikt Purner (AUT - O'fetzn racing) and Walter Martinschitz (AUT - mountainbiker.at).
The fastest amateur of the day was Tobias Müller (GER), one minute ahead of Kurt Exenberger (AUT – Bikeacademy.com). Felix Förster, the winner of the prologue, was third. Stephanie Frankl (GER – WOMB – Girlsridetoo.de) won the amateur women category ahead of Denisa Szucsova (SVK – Cykloklub Galanta) and Céline Beer (SUI – bergvelo.ch).
One thing is for sure: the successful race at Plan de Corones makes you look forward to the remaining races of the European Enduro Series. The next race is on August 23rd and 24th at the Reschenpass in Austria. Visit enduroseries.eu for more information and full results.