Everyone / MTB News: After the start of the 19th BIKE Transalp in Imst yesterday, a rather short stage of 56 km awaited the numerous participants today. From Nauders we went to Scuol in Switzerland. Hermann Pernsteiner and Daniel Geismayr from Centurion Vaude 2 were happy about the day's victory, and their courageous attack paid off in the end. Lennard and Alexander, who are running as Team Velomotion, fought their way to 25th place after a bad start to the day.
It will be exciting in the overall ranking of the BIKE Transalp 2016! After their convincing victory at yesterday's opener, the Austrian-Czech duo from Topeak Ergon Racing 1 had to settle for third place today and a gap of almost 20 seconds to the day's winners. Karl Platt and Urs Huber from Team Bulls 1 were also able to make up time in second place and so it will be quite close at the front ahead of the difficult stage tomorrow and tension is guaranteed.
Last year's winners Markus Kaufmann and Jochen Käß from Centurion Vaude 1 did not have a good day again. After a fall at the German Championships, Kaufmann is still suffering from a persistent rib injury that is making it difficult for him to breathe. After the German duo lost a lot of time yesterday, they were once again unable to match the level that had brought them overall victory in the previous three years. Ten minutes behind the leaders, the two had to bury their dream of defending their title early on.
Lennard and Alexander from Team Velomotion with a strong performance
Lennard Heidenreich and Alexander Hertel, who are also at the start as Team Velomotion in the mother of all MTB stage races, were able to celebrate a very good 25th place today - even though the day started extremely badly, as Lennard himself describes:
"07:04 - My phone lights up - "Good morning Lennard - we're going to have to start really slowly today - just had to throw up"
Yes, that's not how a good bike transalp day usually starts. My mood is in the basement and my answers don't get through. If nothing helps, have breakfast and get on the bike.
We'll meet at the starting block. He got a banana down. Better than nothing I think. My plan for the day is set. Getting through and hoping for improvement, always half a bike length behind him so he can keep his pace up the mountains and push whenever I can.
The starting shot is fired and today we head out onto the track from starting block A2. The 2200 kilometer starting mountain takes us up to an altitude of 9,4 meters. As planned, Alexander pulls up and I follow. The surprise is not long in coming. Alexander really steps on the gas. We just leave many of the teams from yesterday where they are. He's so fast that I only occasionally put my hand on his back for support. As expected, we lose a minute or two on today's much more demanding descents. It doesn't matter because it's going well, our food is also working better than yesterday. On the ascent to the Reschenalm we collect team by team. Our goal is to get so much ahead of the teams that we can get down to San Nicla together. The plan is working! A large group forms in which Michael Anthes from Craft Rocky Mountain and I set a fairly high tempo in the lead work. Alexander and I are rewarded with 25th place on the day! We are improving to rank 27 in the cup ranking. Alexander is fighting like a champion and I'm trying my best too. It can go on like this or maybe something like that!
I'll get back to you tomorrow. Scoul (Ch) – Livigno (It) 72,3 km / 2598 m ascent
Best regards,
Lennard"