July 19, 2009 (Mayrhofen, Germany) – Here’s the report and the results from today’s shortened first stage of the 2009 Jeantex Bike TransAlp powered by Nissan which led today from Reith im Alpbachtal to Mayrhofen. Due to the early time keeping in order to avoid the high Geiseljoch, the race officially finished after 55.4 kilometres and 2,094 metres of altitude in Rotholz. We later clarified with organizers that the opening stage is Stage 2 not Stage 1 which was cancelled due to weather conditions.

Genze and Kugler Win Opening Stage
Hannes Genze and Andreas Kugler have won the first stage of the 2009 Jeantex Bike TransAlp powered by Nissan. The German-Swiss Multivan Merida Biking Team, which had aimed for a top-3 result before the start, crossed the time keeping line in Rotholz after 55.4 kilometres and 2,094 metres of elevation gain as first after an enthralling sprint duel. Genze/Kugler thus mastered the shortened route from Reith im Alpbachtal to Mayrhofen in 2:11:30 hours.

Switzerland’s Lukas Buchli and Thomas Stoll from BiXS iXS Pro Team placed second with the tiny gap of only 1.5 seconds. The South African pairing MTN Energade 1 consisting of Kevin Evans and David George rounded out the podium as third (2:12:13.7). It was a very special result for Hannes Genze as the two-times German Champion, who – together with his team mate and three other duos – broke away in the climb to Hochfuegen and further on to the Loassattel from the rest of the so far leading group including title defending Team Bulls with Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm, took over the Yellow Jersey at his first ever Transalp participation. “We were up to wait and see what will happen trying to stay within the top-3. Now, we for sure will try to defend the lead until Riva del Garda” the 2005 European Champion said.

Danish-Swiss team top ladies’pairing
Despite the fact that they couldn’t train together at all, Kristine Noorgard (DAN) and Milena Landtwing (SUI) brought home the win on day one. The Rothaus-Cube team needed 2:47:40.6 hours for the opening stage, which took place in Austria for the first time ever. “It’s the first time we race together so we are very happy about the triumph” Landtwing stated. Her partner from Denmark added: “Although we would like to bring the Red Jersey to Riva del Garda we are looking for a great time having fun during this week.” Their main contenders for the Transalp title Kerstin Brachtendorf and Danièle Troesch of Fiat-Rotwild came in second. The German-French duo finished the stage in 2:49:53.2 hours, about two minutes ahead of third ranked Susann Oehring and Katrin Neumann from fi´zi:k ti:m (2:51:40.2).

Team KTM fastest Masters
Just like the last three years, when Ekkehard Doerschlag and Heinz Zoerweg were able to celebrate a title hattrick, it seems that the two Austrians are once again the ones to beat in order to take over the Blue Jersey. The serial winners said: “We have a big advantage as we know each other for years now. In addition, we had so many training sessions that we are like a married couple.” Both also commented the shortened stage set-up: “Fore sure we would have loved to pedal across the Geiseljoch but we can understand the decision that safety comes first.” Italy’s Petrovilla Bergner Bau RTTR with Silvano Janes and Stephan Unterthurner came in second (2:22:06.8) having gained a lead of 2:30 minutes over Walter Platzgummer (ITA) and Johann Grasegger from third placed Scott-Adidas Team (2:24:37.3).

Sprint decision in Mixed classification
In a very close final of two mixed duos, Rocky Mountain riders Alison Sydor and Daniel Gathof were the ones with a head ahead. The Canadian-German team crossed the finish in Rotholz after 2:35:42.3 hours, only 0.3 seconds ahead of Anita Steiner and Sepp Fischli from Stoeckli Craft/Fischli Bikes from Switzerland. Daniela Storch and Alexander Stark rounded out the podium as third in a time of 2:46:58.4 hours.

Senior Master title defenders pedal again into Green Jersey
Ferdinand Ganser and Georg Niggl fulfilled the expectations in the Senior Master category. The mountain bikers of the RSC Logwin Kempten mastered today’s challenge in 2:42:10.7 hours relegating Australia’s pairing Merida Flight Centre with Craig Peacock and Hans Dielacher to the second spot (2:49:48). Team Replica from Norway consisting of Per Kristian Greve and Bjarne Lien jumped on the podium of the teams with an overall age of more than 100 years as third (2:50:30.7).

Preview 2nd stage: Mayrhofen (AUT) – Brixen (ITA)
The second day starts with police accompany as the originally planned use of the street from Mayrhofen to Ginzling is blocked due to construction works. Thus, all mountain bikers will travel in a neutralized phase through the tunnel instead.

Thereafter, the peloton climbs up to the Pfitscherjoch on the well-known mountain bike path along the Schlegeisspeicher. Although the route to Brixen is pretty long with its 94.83 kilometres, it is – due to only one real peak and “only” 2,122 metres of altitude makeable. Especially as after the summit has been reached, the course leads downwards for 60 kilometres.

Full Results Stage 2 here.