Sauser claims second stage win at Trans Germany

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Racer leader Christoph Sauser (Specialized Factory Racing) claimed his second stage win on day three of the Trans Germany mountain bike stage race after having triumphed on the opening stage. The former World Champion underlined his leading position in the battle for the Trans Germany crown during the 55.49km stage with 1,830 metres in climbing from Pfronten to Sonthofen. Sauser finished in 2:05:27.

Alban Lakata (ATopeak Ergon Racing), who is also sitting in second behind of Sauser, came in as runner-up in the first sunny stage of the race. Defending champion Thomas Dietsch from Team Bulls jumped on the podium for the first time in this year's race as third. He also moved up to fourth overall, increasing the pressure on third-ranked Christian Schneidawind by making up one minute on the German from Team Texpa Simplon, who finished as fourth after fighting numerous cramps today.
Last climb decides the race

The stage win was decided in the last, five kilometres long, climb up to Strausbergalpe and the subsequent wave profile of the routing. "I had decided this morning to put an attack in on this ascent and pushed it after one kilometre," said Sauser.

He gained 30 seconds on Austria's Lakata, who broke away with him together before, and another half minute until the very last downhill down to the finish in Sonthofen. A strong performance which Lakata ungrudgingly appreciated. "I tried to stay with him but it was impossible. Today, it wasn't really my day." Nevertheless, the 30-year-old Lakata remains optimistic. "Tomorrow is another day. I will give everything. Then, we will see what happens."

Söllner's win overshadowed by Sundstedt's crash

In the women's race, the classification was shaken up, however, not because of the fact that Team Firebike-Dössinger racer Birgit Söllner brought home her first stage win at this year's race.

It was because of Pia Sundstedt's crash. She had been in second place and her crash tempered the delight following the success of the former road bike cyclist, Sollner.

Sundstedt was fast in the first downhill passage down to Schnitzlertal when a rider in front of her lost control and went down. The Craft-Rocky-Mountain biker didn't have a chance to avoid running into him and crashed into a wire-netting fence. She suffered a 15cm long laceration, ending her race.

Elisabeth Brandau, leader of the ladies' category, was also involved in this crash but didn't get injured seriously. She had only a few bruises. "We took care of Pia until someone from the recue team was there. I noticed that the other girls passed by but I didn't care of any results at this point," said Brandau who finished third in the stage.

On the contrary, Söllner didn't see her contender lying on the ground and was surprised when she crossed the finish line first. "I thought Pia was in front of me. Winning like this is not nice." Milena Landtwing (Rothaus-Cube) was today's runner-up.

Pösl wins a masters stage

Christian Pösl from team Tiroler Zugspitz Arena was the fastest master racer for the stage. Bavaria's champion, who was delayed in both previous stages by crashes and several technical problems, secured the stage win in 2:19:27. The bearer of the Blue Jersey, Johann Grasegger from team Garmisch-Partenkirchen was the runner up relegating Heinz Zörweg from Austria to third.

Spolc takes stage win number three in super masters category

ISenior master Milan Spolc triumphed again on stage three with a win. The Czech rider crossed the finish line after 2:31:45, thus giving another show of his dominance in the 50+ class.

Rudi Geentjens from the Belgium team MTB Rudi and Switzerland's Max Bertschinger rounded out the podium as second and third respectively.

Stage 4: Sonthofen, Germany - Bregenz, Austria

The grand finale from Sonthofen to Bregenz will be a comparatively easy last stage as the route to Lake Constance is more downwards than upwards. Only the 15-kilometre long climb from Obermaiselstein to Riedbergpass will be a tough task. After the field has crossed the Austrian border in Hittisau, the mountain bikers will pedal via Langenegg, Bozenau and Buch to the finish at the famous lake stage in Bregenz.

Full Results

General classification results for stage 3 are not available