July 26, 2008 – Alison Sydor (Can) and Pia Sundstedt (Fin) Team Rocky Mountain are the 2008 Transalp Queens. After 2:59:16.4 hours, the top bikers crossed the finish line on the final Stage 8 by foot after they had stopped racing just a few metres before. No wonder as both world class athletes already had gained a lead of 9 minutes until the food station over their chasers Anna-Sofie and Kristine Norgaard who had won yesterday’s stage. So, the sisters weren’t able to block off the seventh day triumph of the Canadian-Finnish pairing.

But still, the Danes claimed today’s second spot (3:09:37.1) as well as the runner-up rank in the overall table. The Giant Swiss Ladies Barbara Merkofer and Margrit Joerg jumped on the day podium for the first time as third (3:17:57.3).

“It was a perfect ending,” explained Alison Sydor. “It was a tough and long week with some ups and downs. But we rode very well together and were able to gain a gap almost every day. This was very satisfying,” said the Canadian MTB legend who took home silver from the 1996 Olympics.

Results

Men
1. Karl Platt (Ger)/Stefan Sahm (Ger) Team Bulls 2:30.03
2. Craft and Friends / mountainbiker.at 2:35.04
3. Team TEXPA-Simplon 2:37.38

Women
1. Alison Sydor (Can) and Pia Sundstedt (Fin) Team Rocky Mountain (3) 2:59.16
2. Team Cube 5 3:09.37
3. Giant Swiss Ladies 3:17.57

Mixed
1. Institut Ftan/Velo Franz Univega 2:54.32
2. Team Stöckli Wädenswil 3:00.30
3. R & R Sport 3:06.26

Master
1. Team KTM 2:37.43
2. Scott-adidas-Naturns 2:43.19
3. Team Generali 2:43.33

Senior Master
1. ept connect 2:57.43
2. Team Syngenta Prairie Boys 3:02.05
3. Giant Swiss D’Ãœrner Oldies 3:02.39

Final GC

Men
1. Karl Platt (Ger)/Stefan Sahm (Ger) Team Bulls 29:59:25
2. Craft and Friends / mountainbiker.at 30:19:08
3. Team Vaude-Simplon 30:52:10

Women
1. Alison Sydor (Can) and Pia Sundstedt (Fin) Team Rocky Mountain 35:18:27
2. Team Cube 5 (11) 36:04:34
3. Fiat Rotwald 38:42:06