Neff and Giger win Afxentia overall titles

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Annika Langvad (Specialized) and Jan Skarnitzl (SRAM Rubena) took the wins in the final stage of the Afxentia stage race, while Fabian Giger and Jolanda Neff (both Giant Pro XC) clinched the overall titles. In stage 4, a cross country race, Neff finished second ahead of Blaza Klemencic (Felt Feenstra) while Skarnitzl took the men's stage ahead of Ondrej Cink (Multivan Merida) and Giger.

Men

The final cross country race at Mantra tou Kampiou was influenced by the overall standings. Fabian Giger's main objective was to defend his overall lead.

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"The stage was not so important," said Giger. "I was looking at Ondrej Cink and tried to keep with him," said Giger, who was a member of the seven-man lead group.

Cink attacked at the beginning of the stage but could not hold the lead. "I lost too much power due to my attack, and for some laps, I had to fight to keep with the leading group," said Cink.

Meanwhile his country-mate Jan Skarnitzl accelerated in the third of five laps (of 5.7km each after a 4km start loop) and escaped off the front..

"I am used to training in the wind. So maybe that was an advantage when I was riding solo in front," said Skarnitzl. "I was angry all the other days because I did not have my normal bike, which is still at the airport in Vienna. And also with the mechanicals in day 2 and 3. So I am happy that my good form finally came out in a result," said Skarnitzl.

The gap to the chasers was growing. "At the end, my leading position nearly was endangered by Skarnitzl," said Giger. "He was really, really strong. Finally we made it, and I am happy to start into the season by repeating my overall Afxentia win from last year. My goal in this strong peloton was the podium, now I have the victory, that's perfect."

Surprisingly, it was Cink who regained his power part way through the race. "I got a Coke at the feed zone, and then I could go again," said Cink, who attacked to the finish with a strong final lap, finishing just one minute behind Skarnitzl.

"Of course, I am happy with my second in the overall. I think my form is good," said Cink.

Thanks to his stage win, Skarnitzl was able to jump from sixth place to the overall podium, passing Marco Fontana (Cannondale Factory Racing), Florian Vogel (Scott-Odlo), and Julian Schelb (Multivan-Merida). The 21-year-old Schelb could not hold the speed of the lead group today and finished in seventh.

Vogel lost his third place and was eventually classified as fourth. Despite that, Vogel was pleased with his first appearance at Afxentia. "I must say, these were four really nice days. The stages were not too long, and I like the concept as well as the tracks. There was a lot of fun. Good job." Speaking of his own performance, he said, "I think I am in a good way."

Vogel finished fifth on the stage, 1:13 behind Skarnitzl and five seconds behind Emil Lindgren (Giant Pro XC), who was fourth of the day, one second behind Giger.

Women

After 4km start loop and half of the first full lap, Annika Langvad took the lead from Adelheid Morath (Sabine Spitz Haibike), while Jolanda Neff followed the Danish rider. Langvad and Neff left the rest of their competition behind.

In the second lap, Langvad realised that Neff was fading. "I didn't feel like being over the limit. So I decided to continue at my own rhythm," said Langvad of how she started her solo effort to win the last stage.

"I switched in race mode today. This morning I felt that it could happen. First, in the warm-up I was in doubt again, but after spinning for half an hour, the feeling came back," said Langvad. "I am happy to have this final stage win in the Afxentia."

Despite losing more and more time, Neff never was in danger of losing her overall lead. At the end of the final stage, Langvad had a 1:35 gap, but Neff defended her GC lead.

"Today, my goal was the overall, and it is pretty cool to get this yellow jersey. Of course, I felt a little bit tired after three days, but probably most of the girls do," said Neff. "I have two second places and two stage wins. How could that be better?"

Morath could not go the speed of the leading girls. "I realized immediately that this day is not the same as the last few days. So I tried to ride safe, in both a technical and physical way. At least I am very happy with the third place in the overall," said Morath, who ended up seventh in the stage.

Blaza Klemencic was in the unlucky position to be behind Morath when Neff and Langvad made their break. "I could not react at this point. But I am really happy to be on the podium. Day by day, it went better and cross country, that's what I like the most," said Klemencic.

Sabine Spitz (Haibike) was fourth for the third day in a row. "It seems I have regular dibs on the wooden medal. But anyway, I am very pleased with my performance, compared to last year."

Nine-time world champion Gunn-Rita Dahle-Flesjaa (Multivan-Merida) finished fifth. "Hey, today I was kind of in the race. I could fight with the other girls," she said. "I didn't really feel good, but these four days were much more than I expected. The strength is there."

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