Sauser wins Bike Four Peaks final stage and overall

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Christoph Sauser (Specialized) wrapped up the Bike Four Peaks by winning the 72km stage 4 and the general classification. He finished the Kaprun - Neukirchen stage, which modified due to route conditions, in 2:46:16. In total, Sauser earned the GC win after covering 298km in 12:14:37. He added the overall title to his three previous wins, from when the race was known as the Trans Germany.

"This is why we train so hard, to achieve something like this. The three stage wins as well as the title is a nice redemption for all the bad luck I had over the course of the last few races I participated in," said the 37-year-old Sauser.

Best climber classification winner and third overall finisher Markus Kaufmann and Jochen Kaess (both Centurion Vaude) were second and third on the day at 2:46:31 and 2:47:19 respectively.

Topeak Ergon's Alban Lakata finished fourth on the day, and secured his position as runner-up in the GC.

The Austrian had been testing his rival's form on the uphill of the last climb to the Wildkogel middle station but had to accept that his own constitution wouldn't help him in his fight for the best climber and overall classification.

"I tried everything but have to admit that upping the pace cost me. I lost a lot of power," said Lakata, who also lost the green climber's jersey to Kaufmann as a result of his efforts.

"But I'm pleased with my three podium finishes and the second position in the overall ranking. I surely want to win this event once."

In contrast, Kaufmann, the reigning German champion, was more than surprised about his outstanding performance at this year's stage race. "I wasn't expecting anything like this coming here in a bad shape. But then I noticed that I was getting into the right mood and went for it. It was a perfect race for me."

Loevset wins women's race

Borghild Loevset finished second on the day after behind stage winner Anja Gradl (Team Bulls). It was good enough for Loevset to keep her overall lead and clinch the women's title. Gradl was second overall.

Gradl finished stage 4 in 3:19:35 while Loevset crossed the line in 3:24:39.

"This win means a lot to me. This is why I wasn't risking too much today," said Loevset, who had won the previous three stages.

Today's third place went to Regina Ganser (3:27:15) of Craft-Rocky Mountain. Bettina Uhlig (Wheeler iXS) was fifth on the day, behind Isabelle Klein, and third overall.

Masters men

Carsten Bresser (Rocky Mountain) grabbed the masters men 40+ title, relegating his fellow countryman Andreas Strobel (Centurion-Vaude) to the second spot. However it was Strobel who rolled over the finish line just a few seconds ahead of the overall winner (2:58:59), thus earning his second stage win of the race. Reini Woisetschlaeger took third in today's stage as well as the overall.

Technical problems with overall Bike Four Peaks winner Heinz Zoerweg's front tire produced a new stage winner in the masters 50+ category on the final day. When the Austrian lost more than 10 minutes after riding 3km on a flat, the Arboe Wienenergie Roehsler team riders rivals battled it out for victory. Reinhard Braun edged out Werner Hoepperger and Henrik Cohen for the stage win. The Danish mountain biker also took the second spot in the GC, ahead of Paul Scheffauer.

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