Leumann sees out final day to win Alpentour Trophy

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Russian Alexey Medvedev (Elettroveneta Corratec) and Swiss rider Katrin Leumann closed out as winners of the 13th Alpentour Trophy 2011. Johnny Cattaneo (Team Full Dynamix) from Italy and Mary McConneloug (Kenda/Seven/NoTubes) dominated the final stage, and with a fifth place today, last year’s race winner Uwe Hochenwarter (Muskelkater Genesis Team) secured third position overall and was best Austrian in the event.

Riders faced 50km and 2,000 metres of climbing on the final day of the Alpentour but were at least faced with the prospect of sunny weather. It was a welcome change after the previous wet and cool conditions that have plagued the race.

"I love the sun," said the Italian Cattaneo. His "good legs" during today’s race compared to the previous stages. With a brilliant performance in the downhill sections the Full-Dynamix-rider was able to escape a four-man leader group, which had formed about half-way into the stage, and crossed the line as today’s stage winner with 2:14:19.

After about 20 seconds, a trio arrived: Periklis Ilias (Team Protek), who did secure his hotly desired second overall place, Medvedev and Kristian Hynek (Ceska sporitelna- Sweep cycling).

"Today was hard for me, because I suffered from cramping during the first downhill. Therefore I’m even more satisfied with my third place in today’s stage", said Medvedev.

Even more content was the Russian with his adopted country Italy about his overall win. He paved the way for his victory with two stage wins on Thursday and Friday and in the end he won the race with a clear lead of 8:28.

"It was an awesome race in a beautiful country with great people," said the beaming Medvedev, who admitted being a bit of an Austria-fan, hoping that his run of good luck here would go on for another week – for the European Marathon Championships in Kleinzell/Upper Austria.

Women's race

For the American Mary McConneloug, her heart’s desire came true during the final stage of the Alpentour Trophy. After 2:46:19 she crossed the finish line as the day’s fastest female rider.

"I started conservatively in the undulating valley, found good pace makers during the long climb and was very mindful of my body and energy reserves. Only on the top of the Hauser Kaibling I realized that I could do it," said the technically gifted rider.

Overall winner Katrin Leumann from Switzerland was also content.  She crossed the line in third today, with half a minute gap as second. "Actually, the Alpentour Trophy was only the replacement event for a cancelled Tour de France for mountain bikers. But now I’m really glad that I came here," said Leumann.

"It was great fun and good training for my season goal, the European and world cross country championships," said Leumann, who is the reigning European cross country champion.

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