Dahle-Flesjaa takes fifth Spring Classic victory

Image 1 of 4

Gunn-Rita Dahle-Flesjaa (Multivan Merida) stepped onto the top of the elite women's podium for the fifth time on Sunday at the Spring Classic in Münsingen, Germany. Second and third went to Katrin Leumann (Ghost) and Annika Langvad (Fuji Bikes Rockets). Rudy van Houts (Multivan Merida) was the surprising winner of the men's contest. The Dutchman took 26th edition of the race in front of Martin Gujan (Cannondale) and Florian Vogel (Scott Swisspower).

It was a typical day in April. In the 1990s, the race in Muensingen in the Swabian Alb area was known as a bad weather race, but in the previous eight years, the organisers always had good weather conditions.

However, the 26th edition offered temperatures around six degrees Celsius, rain, wind, sun and even hail at the start of the men's race. That weather influenced the competition, especially in the very first lap, when due to a crash on a very slippery downhill, Nino Schurter (Scott Swisspower) had to leave the race with a broken handlebar. Manuel Fumic (Cannondale) was involved in the same crash and later abandoned. Vogel, for a time back on 15th position following the crash, eventually  worked his way up into third place.

"I had no chance to get around and crashed right into him," said Schurter. "Following riders such as Fumic and Vogel also crashed into the bunch. It was one big pile up like I have never seen before in a bike race. When I tried to continue I realized I broke my handlebar. That was it for the day."

"After the crash, I didn't ride the technical sections very well, and I lost my motivation for a while. But then I got it back, had fun and was able to chase," said Vogel.

Meanwhile in the front group, Gujan, van Houts and German U23 rider Markus Schulte-Luenzum (Focus MIG) were fighting for the podium spots. Frenchmen Maxime Marotte (BH Suntour) closed the gap to the leading group, but exactly when he arrived there, he broke his shifter and had to pull out.

Van Houts lost contact after a mistake, but caught back up just before the last lap. He passed van Houts and Schulte-Luenzum and escaped for the win.

"I was thinking about the podium, but not about the win. It's pretty cool," van Houts said.

Vogel came close to Gujan, but the two-time Muensingen winner defended his second place. "The two last laps I was on the limit. When Rudy got the gap, I was not able to follow. But second place is okay," Gujan said.

Schulte-Luenzum took fourth and in general was happy with his result, but he also was thinking about the third place he lost by crashing on the final slippery downhill.

Tim Boehme (Bulls) claimed the last spot on the men's podium.

Women's race

"There are a lot of good memories of Muensingen," said Gunn-Rita Dahle-Flesjaa said after her first win of the season Sunday.

As in former times, she took the lead right after the beginning and extended it steadily throughout the cross country race.

"It's great to be able to win, despite of hard training during the week," she said, pointing to her Merida 29er bike. "It was my second race on it, but I am already a fan of it. It's the future."

Annika Langvad sat in second position, nearly for the whole race. But in the very last lap, she hit a tree, giving Katrin Leumann the opportunity to overtake her.

"The whole race was good, except the last lap. But I'm not unhappy about my performance," Langvad said.

Leumann was "happy" with her second place. "My legs were not good, especially compared to the race in Houffalize," she said.

Full Results