General: KronplatzKing MTB Marathon celebrates the new royal couple

MTB News: Every year since 2016, several hundred mountain bikers have been fighting for the coveted KronplatzKing title. For the 2019 edition, the route from St. Vigil to Plan de Corones was partially renewed with more panorama and fewer forest passages. The Portuguese Tiago Ferreira and the Italian Maria Cristina Nisi can be celebrated as the new royal couple.

This year, 700 participants started the KronplatzKing MTB marathon in changeable conditions. The field was divided into two routes of different lengths. In addition to the day's victory, important points for the Marathon-Man Europe, a European five-stop MTB marathon series, were also at stake. The top-class starting field included top drivers such as Mattia Longa, Cristian Cominelli, Roel Paulissen and Markus Kaufmann. In the 73-kilometer King Marathon with 3.250 meters in altitude, the Portuguese world champion from 2016 Tiago Ferreira secured victory after 3:48.50 hours ahead of the former Russian European champion Aleksei Medvedev (+1.56 min). The podium was completed by Frans Claes from Belgium (+2.29 min).

In the women's race, the Italian Maria Cristina Nisi coped best with the changeable weather conditions and won the title after 4:44.38 hours. Esther Süss, the 2010 Swiss World Champion, was 3.24 minutes behind in second place, followed by Chiara Burato (+10.17 min) from Italy. Peter Menghetti and last year's winner Klara Ursch from Italy won the short distance of 49 kilometers and 2.130 meters in altitude.

KronplatzKing MTB Marathon Results (Top 3)

King Marathon (men)

1. Tiago Ferreira (POR) DMT Racing Team 3:48.50
2. Aleksei Medvedev (RUS) ASD Cicli Taddei 3:50.47 (+1.56)
3. Frans Claes (BEL) Loving Hut MTB 3:51.20 (+2.29)

King Marathon (women)

1. Maria Cristina Nisi (ITA) New Bike 2008 4:44.28
2. Esther Süss (SUI) Bike Erich 4:48.03 (+3.24)
3. Chiara Burato (ITA) Olimpia Cicli Andreis 4:54.55 (+10.17)

Prince Classic (men)

1. Peter Menghetti (ITA) Team Bike Innovation 2:41.55
2. Michael Mayer (AUT) CGO Xentis Racing 2:43.55 (+2.00)
3. Michele Zordan (ITA) Metallurgica Veneta 2:46.05 (+4.10)

Prince Classic (Women)

1. Klara Ursch (ITA) Cermes BZ 3:31.19
2. Katrien Geuens (BEL) Bike Inn Herentals 3:41.28 (+10.09)
3. Alexandra Oberhollenzer (ITA) RH Racing Team 3:44.34 (+13.15)