This year’s Marathon European Championships took place on May 12, as part of the Rothaus Hegau Bike-Marathon in Singen, Germany. Swiss rider Esther Süss and Austrian Alban Lakata won the elite titles. Esther Süss took the gold medal ahead of British rider Sally Bigham and Olympic Champion Sabine Spitz. In the men's race, Lakata triumphed before the unfortunate Christoph Sauser and Czech Kristian Hynek. The best German was Tim Böhme in fourth place.
Alban Lakata won his second marathon European title after 2008, ahead of a disappointed Christoph Sauser who had a mechanical. Barely a hundred meters from the finish, the Swiss rider suffered from a chain suck, while riding in front of Lakata. The Austrian was only a few feet behind him and powered away to victory. „I was prepared for the final sprint, but, suddenly, Christoph’s chain jumped off,“ said Lakata.
Nevertheless, the Austrian is happy with the title. „I had to toil on the climbs today. In the meantime, I had doubts as to whether that's enough for a medal at all. Today the luck was on my side,“ added Lakata.
"I can not believe it," Sauser said, shaking his head. "I came here to win. I knew I had to go fast in the corners before the finish. I even opened up a gap.“
Kristian Hynek also rode a strong and incredible race. He upped the pace on the mountain and reduced the leading gap. "Things might have been even better,“ Hynek said at the finish. "It could have been more, but I won the bronze and I’m quite content with it,“ said the defending champion. The Czech struggled a lot in the last five kilometers from the finish.
Earlier into the race, local hero Tim Böhme had experienced some ups and downs. In the first part of the race, the home town favorite put in a great effort and after about 40 kilometers, he was seen in the top-ten lead group.
Five men led the race in the longest single trail and Böhme was still there. Swiss rider Thomas Litscher could keep up with them at first, but he gave up later to save energy for the upcoming world cup in Albstadt.
World champion Periklis Ilias from Greece had a mechanical after about 40 kilometers in the race and lost the connection with the lead group. Eventually, he finished seventh.
Elite women: Sabine Spitz „it's too cold“
The top three favourites for the title pulled away from the rest of the field already on the second climb. Sally Bigham, who was fighting a cold during the week, dictated the pace in the front. After 28 kilometers, the trio passed the intermediate timing with two-minute lead on the chasers.
However, the Olympic silver medalist from London could keep it up till Hohentwiel. From then on she went solo to bronze and won her 26th international medal. "It was simply too cold for me out here. My legs were frozen. But I am quite confident for the World Cup in Albstadt," said Spitz.
Therefore, the battle for the title was between Esther Süss and Sally Bigham. „Now that Sabine was gone, I told Sally that we have to work together," said Esther Süss.
That worked until about 15 kilometers from the finish. Bigham came down fast in a descent, but so was Süss who also choose good tires for the race. „I would have waited with my attack, but Sally seemed a bit impatient so I told myself no more waiting,“ said Esther Süss. She pulled away on a climb and took her third marathon European title of her career.
"I had great legs and I had a lot of fun on the climbs. I won my third marathon European title which is super great,“ said a happy Süss.
Sally Bigham was also satisfied. "Under these circumstances and in this cold weather I can only say that I’m very satisfied, even if it's a silver for the third time in a row. But I’ll put an end to it next year in Ireland, "she said.
Behind the Swiss Kathrin Stirnemann was Silke Schmidt, rounding out the top five.
Results, MAN:
1. Alban Lakata (Austria - Canyon) 3:37:48
2. Christoph Sauser (Svizzera - Specialized) 3:38:06
3. Kristian Hynek (Rep. Ceca - Elettroveneta Corratec) 3:38:41
4. Tim Böhme (Germania - team Bulls) 3:43:18
5. Christoph Soukup (Austria - Hitec) 3:44:00
6. Urs Hüber (Svizzera - team Bulls) 3:44:46
7. Ilias Periklis (Grecia) 3:44:56
8. Mirko Celestino (Italia - Avion Axevo) 3:45:08
9. Adrian Brzozka (Polonia - JBG) 3:46:00
10. Pavel Boudny (Rep. Ceca) 3:46:20
Results, WOMAN:
1. Ester Süss (Svizzera) 3.23:00
2. Sally Bigham (Gran Bretagna) 3:24:06
3. Sabine Spitz (Germania) 3:30:52
4. Katrin Stirnemann (Svizzera) 3:38:03
5. Silke Schmidt (Germania) 3:38:17
COMPLETE RESULTS