Kaess wins final stage while Dietsch defends lead and takes KOM crown

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In the final stage of the Trans Germany, Jochen Kaess (Mulitvan Merida) claimed victory in 2:52:27 for 78.8km from Oberwiesenthal to Seiffen. His teammate Hannes Genze followed in second in 2:52:36. Overall winner Thomas Dietsch was third in 2:52:37.

The French Champion Dietsch (Team Bulls) mastered the total of 660 kilometres and 15,266 metres of elevation gain in one week over 22:53:36 hours. He also won the green King of the Mountains jersey. En route to taking the GC, Dietsch did not win a single stage.

Genze and Kaess finished second and third in the overall.

In the final stage, Genze and Kaess attacked the yellow jersey, but Dietsch was always ready with an answer. "We tried everything but didn't have a chance. Thomas (Dietsch) was always able to catch up," said Kaess, who was still happy with his team winning six out of seven stages. "This speaks for itself."

Dietsch was happy to defend his title. "I have to say thank you to the whole team. Today, it was very stressful and exhausting for me because I never knew when the next attacks would take place. But I gave my very best and it worked out."

"Of course I would have loved to clinch one stage win but from day three on, I was only focusing on defending my yellow jersey," said Dietsch.

Both Genze and Kaess won three stages each.

Suess fulfills a dream

The reigning European Champion from Switzerland, Esther Suess, fulfilled her dream of winning all seven stages. The friendly Wheeler Pro team racer crossed the finish line after 3:16:47 on the final day and smiled, "I'm pleased with the week although it was very exhausting. I had a lot of fun and learned a lot. It's a nice feeling to win my first Trans Germany participation."

Claudia Seidel (Team Tourismusverein Seiffen) rolled into her hometown in second (3:20:55), right ahead of Milena Landtwing (3:21:14). The Rothaus-Cube biker thus also secured her third place in the overall ranking. Women category's runner-up Sally Bigham (Topeak-Ergon Racing) made it to Seiffen in fifth after she crashed badly yesterday.

Grasegger claims sixth stage

Johann Grasegger (Scott Racing) clinched the sixth stage win with a time of 3:07:07. He also took home the Blue Jersey of the leading Master. Peter Paelinck (www.Reevax.be) followed as the day's runner-up, Branko Grah (RC Sereno) was third.

"I'm really glad about my title as this week was harder for me than racing a Transalp," Grasegger said. In the over 40-year-old classification, Grasegger beat Hans Plaenckert (Casa Verde Racing Factory) and Bernd Weinhold (Team Schoeneck) to second and third.

Spolc sweeps them all

Sachsen. Land von Welt rider Milan Spolc was unbeatable in the over-50-year-old category this year. The Czech mountain biker not only carried the green jersey all the way to Seiffen but also added an overall triumph in the senior master category. The 51-year-old mastered the final stage in 3:12:42 ahead of B-Herentals biker Rudi Geentjens and Bernhard Spieler (race worx) who both also rounded out the super master ranking as second and third.