Hynek kicks off AlpenTour Trophy with stage win

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In the first of four stages of the 14th Alpentour Trophy, a Czech racer took the win. Kristian Hynek crossed the line almost four minutes ahead of Swiss racer Urs Huber. Two seconds behind Huber, World Champion Alban Lakata of Austria reached the finish. The elite women's field was dominated by favourite Sally Bigham.

Hynek settled into the leading position early on the 63 kilometres and 2800 metres of climbing in today's first stage.

"It was a hard stage onto the Hochwurzen. In a moment of inattention, I came off track and the chasing group almost caught up to me. However, I dug deep and could expand my lead again and kept it until the finish," said Hynek.

Huber, a two-time Crocodile Trophy winner, was able to overtake the Lakata right before the finish.

Lakata, who has also won the AlpenTour Trophy twice, was happy about the luck with the weather and satisfied with his performance. "After two recent crashes and a training break I am happy with my performance," said Lakata. "I didn't push it today, because there are three hard days ahead still. Kristian really deserves today's win, he raced really well."

In the elite women's field, British Champion and Vice-World Champion Sally Bigham grabbed the leader's jersey with a superior win. She claimed the title ahead of the Dutch rider Monique Zeldenrust and the Swiss racer Nadia Walker. "The conditions today were right down my alley. I love climbing and felt really strong," said the happy rider from Britain in the finishing area.

In the masters category the Dutch racing legend and first Olympic Cross Country Champion Bart Brentjens won with about 40 seconds on the Austrian Georg Koch. German rider Max Friedrich was third.

Local favorite Wolfgang Krenn did not start due to knee problems.

Full Results for stage 1 and GC after stage 1