Genze and Kugler extend lead due after second stage win

Due to a well-timed attack in the climb up to the Groednerjoch, Hannes Genze and Andreas Kugler celebrated their second stage win. The Multivan Merida Biking Team mastered the 83.52 kilometres and 3,665 metres of climbing in the queen stage from Brixen into the new stage town St. Christina in 4:08:39, extending their overall lead. Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm from Team Bulls, who were also in front for a long time during the stage, followed as runner-ups (4:09:44). The two defending champions seem to get better form each day.

Switzerland's Lukas Buchli and Thomas Stoll who were sitting in the runner-up position so far being only four seconds behind lost precious time right in today’s first climb due to a flat tyre. Thus, the BiXS iXS Pro Team, which still finished third (4:12:31.5) lost 3:56.

Leaders pleased with race

As expected, the day's two passes of Kreuzkofeljoch and Groednerjoch relentlessly highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of the participating teams. Once again, TransAlp newbies Hannes Genze and Andreas Kugler presented themselves as the strongest. The overall leaders didn't get involved with any games, but rather set their own pace in the group containing the leading pairs.

"After more racers fell off the pace throughout the stage, Team Bulls attacked where the course changed to pavement to go over the Groednerjoch for the last three kilometres," said Kugler. The Multivan Merida Biking Team then forced the pace to such an extent that Stefan Sahm lost contact. "I couldn't follow anymore."

The Multivan Merida team has an overall lead of 3:43, which means the outcome is by no means certain. "We had good legs today and are glad that we were able to extend our lead. But it's not over yet," said Kugler. "We are only halfway."

Team KTM strikes back

Just like the day before, two teams contested the stage win, but in contrast to yesterday, the bearers of the Blue Jerseys were the ones who came out on top. Austrians Ekkehard Doerschlag and Heinz Zoerweg from Team KTM crossed the finish line in 4:34:33. Scott-Adidas was second with Walter Platzgummer and Johann Grasegger. Italy's Silvano Janes and Stephan Unterthurner from Petrovilla Bergner Bau rounded out the podium as third in 4:45:44.

Rothaus-Cube lives up to expectations as favourites

Having brought home their third consecutive stage win, Milena Landtwing and Kristine Noorgard underlined their intentions to win the women's crown. The Rothaus-Cube duo mastered the stage from Brixen to St. Christina in 5:22:49. More than ten minutes later, Kerstin Brachtendorf and Danièle Troesch from Fiat-Rotwild followed as runner-ups (5:33:26). Peggy Klose and Claudia Till from Zwillingscraft 1 jumped on the podium in third (5:33:33).

Rocky Mountain unbeatable in mixed category

Alison Sydor and her 16-year-younger teammate Daniel Gathof from Rocky Mountain continued their time in the Orange Jerseys. The Canadian-German duo rolled into the finish in St. Christina after 5:09:17, thus extending their lead on Anita Steiner and Sepp Fischli from Stoeckli Craft/Fischli Bikes, who placed second today again (5:15:04), by 5:47. The Sebamed team consisting of Germany's Steffi Hadraschek and Martin Jochem finished third (5:26:34).

Senior master leaders take third win

Ferdinand Ganser and Georg Niggl from Jeantex RSC Logwin Kempten clinched their third stage victory. The two leaders in the classification for the oldest teams mastered the fourth stage of the week in 5:19:17. The second best senior master team came from Australia. Craig Peacock and Hans Dielacher from Merida Flight Centre needed 5:30:02 to finish. Swiss riders Ueli Schuermann and Hanspeter Hunziker from Long Time Bikers V-Sport.ch reached the finish in 5:45:39.6.

Stage 5 Preview: St. Christina - Sarnthein

This brand new stage, which connects the two new Transalp towns of St. Christina and Sarnthein, runs 82.27km and climbs 3,305 metres. It includes the longest climb that the TransAlp has ever seen: Via Rittner Horn which goes up 1,679 metres to the Gasteiger Sattel. Riders go via the Muehlensteig to the finish.Results