Medvedev and Leumann win second stage

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There was no more rain, but instead feisty and steep climbs, challenging downhills and snow factored in stage 2 of the Alpentour Trophy. The Russian Alexey Medvedev (Elettroveneta Corratec) triumphed for the second day in a row, ahead of Austrian rider Uwe Hochenwarter (Muskelkater Genesis-Racer) from Carinthia.

The Hochwurzen is one of the most popular mountains for skiing in the Ennstal Valley and the Giglach Lakes are a renowned hiking destination. However, the riders of today's second stage of the Alpentour Trophy probably didn't have any appreciation for these positive attributes.

"Far out, that was hard," said Hochenwarter immediately upon finishing the hefty 56-kilometer stage with 2400m of climbing.

Right from the beginning, last year's winner Hochenwarter battled it out with race leader Alexey Medvedev. The 28-year-old Medvedev was able to break away on the extremely steep and cliffy sections near the Ursprungalm; however, in the snow fields near the Giglach Lakes the Austrian was able to close in on him, even on the following downhills.

"And then, on the last rock of that tricky section, I had a flat tire," said Hochenwarter.

With no spare tube, he then had to finish his ride defensively for the last 15 kilometres and in the end crossed the finish line more than three and a half minutes behind the Russian winner Medvedev, who stopped the clock at 2:51:10.

"Quitting is not an option and everything is still possible," said Hochenwarter.

Now with his more than a five-minute lead, you'd think Medvedev would sit back and wait to face the race against the clock. However, the Corratec racer is worried about "sore legs" due to the many sections the riders had to push today. On the other hand, the Russian, who is specifically training for the European Marathon Championships in Kleinzell/Upper Austria and the Marathon World Championships in Montebelluna, Italy, said that he actually favours steep climbs like the ones up to the Schafalm.

And also Jukka Vastaranta is keeping his finger on the pulse of tomorrow's time trial. The Finnish rider from the Milka Trek MTB-Racing Team was constantly chasing the leading duo in range of sight. "When I saw that Uwe had a flat tire, I was about to give him my spare one - but then, pssssst," said the 28-year-old. In fact, Vastaranta's flat was caused by the very same rock that pinched Hochenwarter's back wheel; however, he was to change it quickly enough to still secure his podium position.

It was a different fate for Mauro Bettin. Yesterday's masters winner came across the finish line in fourth after a flat and had to hand over his leader's jersey to Robert Novotny.

During breakfast, the former marathon world and cross country world champion Ralph Näf, who had been considered as a favourite for the overall victory, was still convinced that he would "attack". However, at the first climb of the day the Swiss rider had to admit that it wouldn't work out that way. "For yesterday's fourth place, I had to fight harder than expected. Today the first neutral section was a battle," said the Multivan Merida rider who had to give up his participation in the race with a heavy heart due to a suspected infection.

It was a better day for his fellow Swiss rider Katrin Leumann. The incumbent European Cross Country Champion confidently defended her lead in the female classification with a time of 3:39:44 and increased the gap to Mary McConneloug by another 6:41. Third, like yesterday, was the Dutch rider Mirre Stallen.

Beaming with joy was Michael Crosbie in the event centre. For the Australian rider his long journey to Schladming had paid off at the latest when he reached the Giglach Lakes. "For the first time ever I've seen snow!" he said gleefully. "At first I wasn't even sure what to do. Ride it. Run across it?" Eventually, he did as the other competitors did and stumped through the 30cm high remainders of the Austrian Winter.

"It's fun to ride here," said Olympic Champion Bart Brentjens. While the 43-year-old is not exactly as fast as in the past (though he still finished 30th today), his two teammates are fighting for top positions. "It just pleases me to know that these young guns are right in front," said the mountain bike legend.

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