(google translate)The technical track of Petermaritzburg claimed many lives including Eva Lechner and Tanja Zakelj. Wins Julie Bresset (France) ahead Wloszwoska Maja (Poland) after a struggle that lasted throughout the race. Third place for Esther Suss (Switzerland).
6 laps for the women Elite athletes with a lot of candidates to victory , there is a real favorite as the dominatrix of 2012 Julie Bresset is not 100 % of the condition due to an injury suffered in March but it certainly will be the athlete to keep more of an eye.
Immediately during the 1st lap is formed a group with various riders namely: Bresset Julie (France), Wloszczowska Maja (Poland), Engen Alexandra (Sweden) , Kalentieva Irina (Russia), Zakelj Tanja (Slovenia) , Katerina Nash (Czechoslovakia) and Lechner Eva (Italy). The only one who loses is the ground hopelessly Swiss Katrin Leumann that after a great first lap loses contact from the first positions .
In the 2nd lap something happens that changes the evolution of the race, the Italian Lechner falls into one of the most technical composed of logs very steep downhill and after a few moments where it has remained firm on the ground again, passing the finish line in 19th position at 1'43", and now out of the game .
In front in the meantime the group is still compact and the return of Suss Ester (Switzerland), excellent marathon's rider. The Suss , however, seems to pay most of his opponents the various technical sections of the course but always manages to come back when the path becomes less insidious. Meanwhile, the Lechner continues his comeback transiting in 14th position .
During the third lap Katerine Nash and Kathrin Stirnemann lose a few meters in front and 5 remain with Julie Bresset that keeps the rhythm followed closely by Zakelj from Wloszczowksa from Engen , by Suss and Kalentieva. Dahle Flesja Gunn-Rita (Norway) , after a start of the race is not exciting , enters the top 10 but does not seem able to fit in the cup continuing with Kathrin Stirnemann.
Halfway through the race Maja Wloszczowska pushed the pace and only Bresset and Zakelj manage to keep the pace in the stretch but technical success at Rocky Garden also falls Zakelj losing forty seconds and sharing in 8th position. Meanwhile, the Suss and Kalentieva become the pursuers of the true leading pair as Alexandra Engen has given a little after the excellent start of the race.
The situation is stabilized with the Wloszowska and Bresset passing together again for the last lap while Switzerland Suss accelerates and tries to go to reach the leading pair passing under the incoming with 25 " of delay is a few seconds while the Kalentieva more behind . ZAKELJ The passes in 5th position at 45 " from the podium , difficult task but not impossible.
On the last lap but the fight is Bresset nor the Wloszowska have the strength to pull its half. Then comes the last climb where Bresset can precede Wloszczowska after a long struggle to take the final descent on his head. On the final formidable Rocky Garden Bresset can earn those 5 " that will serve to win the Wloszczowska. Third place went to Esther Suss , a good result considering his penchant for marathon races. Fourth place for Irina Kalentieva while in 5th place will arrives Tanja Zakelj.
Results, WOMEN ELITE:
1. Julie Bresset (France) 1h42'54"
2. Maja Wloszczowska (Poland) +5"
3. Esther Suss (Switzerland) +1'06"
4. Irina Kalentieva (Russia) +1'29"
5. Tanja Zakelj (Slovenia) +2'06"
6. Alexandra Engen (Sweden) +2'57"
7. Kathrin Stirnemann (Switzerland) +3'05"
8. Gunn Rita Dahle (Norway) +3'23"
9. Lea Davison (USA) +3'41"
10. Eva Lechner (Italy) +3'58"