Sauser claims Trans Germany overall win

Image 1 of 2

Christoph Sauser (Specialized Factory Racing) clinched the overall Trans Germany victory on the final day. The former Marathon World Champion crossed the finish line in third on the final stage, right behind of Robert Mennen and Alban Lakata, who both celebrated a one-two punch for Topeak Ergon Racing. But in the end, the lead of 1:50, which the Swiss rider had gained on Lakata over the last four days, was enough to hold back his strongest contender for the 2010 title. Lakata thus had to settle for second overall. Christian Schneidawind (Texpa Simplon), came in as eighth and defended his third place in the overall standings.

The final stage was 74.5km and covered 1,365 metres of climbing. It had an edgy and fidgety character, with more downhill than uphill, despite the 15-kilometre climb to Riedbergpass in the last third of the route.

On the last part of the climb, Sauser, Lakata and Mennen broke away. The attack paid off.

"I'm so stoked," said Robert Mennen after his first Trans Germany stage win. He had recovered from a stomach bug durin gthe second stage - it cost him any chance at the overall. "That's the reason why I definitely wanted to win a stage."

Sauser a worthy champion

"I had to watch out the whole day as there also was the duel for the third overall rank between Christian (Schneidawind) and Thomas (Dietsch)," said Sauser after his win. "And as (my main rival) Alban (Lakata) always held the pace, I also had to do so."

"Susi" was all smiles. "On the one hand, it was my first stage race win for a long time. And on the other hand it was the first big triumph on a 29er bike. It was a lot of fun," said the 34-year-old from Sigriswil, who covered the full distance in 10:23:38 over four days of racing and 286.13 kilometres.

Brandau successful in women's contest

The fastest woman in the field, Elisabeth Brandau (Team Haibike), sat about one and a half hour longer in the saddle (compared to the winning men) in order to secure her 2010 Trans Germany title. The Schönaich resident, who celebrated her third stage win today in 2:38:49.7 hours, pedalled all the way from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Bregenz in 11:54:03, earning the Red Jersey for being the number one lady.

Today, the 24-year-old relegated Birgit Söllner from Firebike-Drössiger and Switzerland's Milena Landtwing from Rothaus-Cube MTB to second and third respectively. The order was the same for the women's overall.

According to her again strong performance, Brandau said in the finish area right at the famous lake stage of Bregenz, "I'm more than pleased with the result. I never expected this. I'm happy that I was a strong competition for Pia (Sundstedt), who unfortunately had to quit the race due to injury."

Grasegger keeps hold on masters' title

Finishing third today, the bearer of the Blue Jersey for the fastest master rider Johann Grasegger was able to close the deal of successfully defending the 2009 Trans Germany title. The Team Garmisch-Partenkirchen pilot mastered the 75 kilometres from Sonthofen to Bregenz in 2:29:34.

Due to this, he only had to give in to Christian Pösl (Tiroler Zugspitz Arena), who lost all chances of bringing home the title on the second day when a flat tyre cost him more than 30 minutes and to overall master runner-up Heinz Zörweg. Erik Evers (MTB Rudi) was the third rider to complete the overall ranking of the master category.

"I never thought of being able to repeat my last year's win," said Grasegger. "But the first day brought the decision when a lot of people over paced facing rough weather conditions. I fought it out and was rewarded."

Senior Master Spolc repeats title, too

Milan Spolc had some technical troubles and finished second in the stage, but held onto his overall lead of about 28 minutes to give him his second consecutive Trans Germany title.

Meanwhile, Ferdinand Ganser celebrated his first stage win. The Craft-Rocky-Mountain rider crossed the finish line after 2:37:50, thus also jumping into the runner-up spot in the final senior master ranking. Urs Güntensperger (Büli Bike Tigers) followed and Ad van De Sande (Team Ventoux Tilburg) was third overall.

Full Results