June 9, 2007 (Neustadt, Germany) – Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm from Team Bulls have won the first stage of the Craft Bike Trans Germany. Both bikers made it from St. Wendel to Neustadt a. d. Weinstrasse in 4:25:43 hours.

Before, both had a hard duel with second-placed riders Frank Lehmann and Thomas Nicke from the Rothaus-Cube team (4:26:56). After 123 kilometres and more than 2,750 metres of elevation gain Johannes Sickmueller and Rene Birkenfeld from Stevens Racing Team came in third (4:28:52).

The roadway arrangement caused the very close finish of all three top teams within a little bit more than three minutes. The leg was characterized by a lot of rhythm changes until the decision at the crest to today’s highest hill, the Hellerhuette (490 metres), where the winners set the decisive attack. “We were very patient until the last hill. Until there, we only tried to open the peloton two times”, said Karl Platt after the race. But, not only all other competitors had their problems with the acceleration. Also his team mate “had problems to follow his bike. I kind of had to crucify myself,” said Stefan Sahm. Thus, second ranked team Rothaus-Cube was satisfied with the result: “We are very pleased. The stage race is long and Stefan had problems, too.”

Sydor and Bresser Win Mixed Category

In the Mixed category, the title aspirants Carsten Bresser, who enjoyed to finishing the day in his hometown, and Alison Sydor celebrated victory, too. Team Rocky Mountain / Haywood needed 5:05:00 hours to win the race. More than one hour later, team Magura on board crossed the finish line (6:12:48) ahead of Bobteam.info (6:13:50).

In the Women classification, the estimated duel is looming. Kerstin Brachtendorf and Danièle Troesch from team Fiat-Rotwild relegated twins Sandra and Peggy Klose to the second. The German-French team needed 5:30:08 and thus has now 2.5 minutes advantage on team Zwillingscraft (5:32:43). The bikers from team Cube Wls came in third (5:49:23).

In the Master category (both riders older than 80 years), a team from Saxony took over the lead: Sachsenteam leads the standings with 4:50:57 hours. Scott Racing Team Heilenmann sits on the second spot (4:57:24) ahead of van Otten Marathon team (5:15:48).

The Grand Master category (both older than 100 years) was won by Taunusgazellen 106 (5:46:32). Team Sherpa came in second (5:52:54). Ca & Friends Racing team took home the third spot (5:54:08).