Milatz rides to a win and New face tops women's podium

German Moritz Milatz and Dane Annika Langvad won the fifth round of the German MTB-Bundesliga Series in Wetter in the Ruhr area on Sunday. Swiss Lukas Kaufmann won the Under 23 men's race.

"Fabian was strong, and it was not easy to beat him," said Milatz. "Until just before the last lap, we worked together, but then I realized that he was starting to have problems. I think I'm going well at this time of the season."

Giger defended his overall lead by two points. "Moritz was stronger, and I'm happy to get the second place," said Giger. Two weeks ago, in Albstadt, he was second, too.

Latest Videos From

Watch full video here:

Third place went to his SKS teammate Thomas Litscher of Switzerland. The 2007 Junior World Champion attacked a three-man chasing group and grabbed the third step on the podium.

Annika Langvad put in an impressive ride and showed the cross country world a new face atop the women's podium. Having held a license since just 2008, the women's winner rides for a small club in the north of Copenhagen, and she surprised many at the Albstadt Bundesliga round, where she finished fourth.

"Unbelievable, it's crazy," said the 25-year-old Langvad said after beating Olympic bronze medalist Irina Kalentieva by 1:20, despite a puncture and a crash affecting her front wheel with one lap remaining.

For 2010, Langvad is aiming for a contract.

"She was very strong," said Kalentieva (Topeak-Ergon), who was ok with second after a four-week break in competition. "I think I can improve heading toward the European Championships."

Third position went to Swede Alexandra Engen, who first tried to hang onto the wheel of Langvad, but was held back by some cramps in her back.

"I'm happy with my race anyway," said Engen.

The men's under 23 competition was dominated by the Swiss Lukas Kaufmann (Rothaus-Cube), who took the victory ahead of Henk-Jaap Moorlag (Brink-ten Tusscher) of the Netherlands and German Sebastian Szraucner (Fujibikes).

Kaufmann also won Saturday's sprint races, when he beat Litscher and Milatz.