Sauser extends lead during stage 2 of Bike Four Peaks

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Former world champion Christoph Sauser (Specialized) backed up his stage 1 victory with a stage 2 victory at the Bike Four Peaks on Thursday. The Swiss rider won the 75km stage with 2514m of climbing from Lofer to Kirchberg in a time of 3:11:01, thus extending his lead in the GC to 1:30.

Alban Lakata (Topeak Ergon), ranked second in the GC, finished second in the stage at 3:12:27. He edged out reigning German Marathon Champion Markus Kaufmann (Centurion Vaude), who was third. Kaufmann took over the third spot in the GC after previous third place Tim Boehme (Bulls) finished 17th on the day.

The preliminary decision took place on the last climb of the day up to Ehrenbachhoehe, when Kaufmann and Sauser were able to break away of the leading group. 2010 marathon world champ Lakata could not hang with them.

Then, on the 7.5km long Fleckalm downhill, Sauser shook off Kaufmann and their other chasers. The trail plummets 1,000m down to Kirchberg and will be part of the upcoming marathon Worlds on June 29.

"It was obvious that the last climb would be decisive. I was in front after the climb and then benefitted from the downhill section," said Sauser. "I tried to gain as much advantage as possible."

Sauser was reluctant to talk about a possible overall win with two stages remaining. "It's not clinched yet, there are still two tough days to come."

The second half of the four-day event, includes the 82km queen stage from Kirchberg to Kaprun on Friday, with 2440m of climbing. Local hero Lakata is pinning his hopes on doing well that day.

"I didn't feel so good," said Lakata, who who suffered on stage 2. "I lost contact on the climb already and tried to keep the deficit as small as possible. I managed to pass Kaufmann in the descent, but Sauser was too far away."

Lakata lost his lead in the best climber classifier to Kaufmann, who is now leading the race for the green jersey with 45 points ahead of Sauser and Lakata (40 points each).

Loevset underlines her strength

Just like Sauser on the men's side, Borghild Loevset reinforced her leader's position in the women's category. The Norwegian athlete crossed the finish line in Kirchberg after a total time of 3:55:24.

Team Bulls member Anja Gradl came in second (4:07:43). However, the 27-year-old from Germany is already some 25 minutes behind of the bearer of the pink leader's jersey.

Isabelle Klein from Luxembourg took third (4:14:59), thus keeping the pressure high on today's fourth ranked women Bettina Uhlig (4:16:06).

Change of leadership in master category

Craft-Rocky Mountain veteran Carsten Bresser lived up to his nickname "combresser" in the master category today by winning his first Bike Four Peaks stage in 3:25:05.

The racer from Rhineland-Palatinate also took over the lead in the classification for the 40+ participants after previous leader Andreas Strobel (Centurion-Vaude) lost more than eight minutes while still finishing second (3:33:32). As a result, Strobel is now some 7:30 behind in the standings.

Third place on the day went to Hansjuerg Gerber from Switzerland (3:35:33).

Heinz Zoerweg dominates 50+ category

Among the grand masters, it seems that Heinz Zoerweg, riding for Arboe Wienenergie Roehsler, is unbeatable. He took his second stage win in 3:44:44.

Henrik Cohen and Paul Scheffauer, who are also second and third in the overall ranking, rounded out the podium as second and third in stage 2.

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