Niederdorf (South Tyrol/Italy), 6 July 2013 - Kristian Hynek from the Czech Republic and Sally Bigham from Britain have won the 19th Südtirol Dolomiti Superbike. This year the long-distance race in the Dolomites forms part of the “UCI Marathon World Series”. The elite men had to travel 113, 8 km (3,357 m); the elite women's 80 km (2,307 m). Second in the men's was last year's winner Alban Lakata (AUT), in third was Luke Büchli from Switzerland. Among the women Elena Gaddoni (ITA) and Daniela Veronesi (San Marino) coming in behind Bigham raking in second and third.
In bright sunshine Kristian Hynek mastered the marathon in 4:25:16 hours. The former Ex-European champion and World Cup fourth placed distanced Alban Lakata by 1:51 minutes. Luke Büchli lost to the winner at the finish by 6:36 minutes.
Hynek could at all times break away from his pursuers on the numerous climbs. For this reason at the first mountain prize at the Helm Mountain (43 km), he had a lead of 37 seconds over Italian Tony Longo and 43 seconds on Alban Lakata.
“Today I simply had more power on the climbs”, said Hynek.
The head start of the 33-year-old Czech shrank at the second mountain prize located at Haunold (65 km) above Innichen, in comparison to Lakata’s eight-and Tony Longo’s 29 seconds. On the descent towards Dobbiaco only then could Lakata keep up with the concluding winner. The two raced together along the long, slightly ascending and fast stretchesion to the Schluderbach (86 km), where the last eight-kilometer climb begins to the Prato Piazza (2,000) m). It was here where Hynek set the final and decisive attack.
“Alban gave everything at the World Cup”, declared Hynek.
In fact power went out of Lakata; Hynek reached the Prato Piazza, plunged into the descent, conquered the last 18 km alone and with his arms raised, crossed the finish line first in Niederdorf.
“Hynek was simply too strong today", said Alban Lakata. "The mountains were a real torture for me today, but I am very happy as you cannot always win”.
Lukas Büchli fought for a long time against Tony Longo for third place. On ascending to Prato Piazza, power left the Italian, and Büchli who in 2008 in Niederdorf was placed sixth having achieved his best World Cup result, pulled up and head away.
Quotes: Men
Kristian Hynek (CZE), winner: “On the downhill, it was relatively difficult and challenging because the many single trailis demanded everything from me. The number 19 is my lucky number by the way! The 19th rendition of the Dolomiti Superbike brought me luck on my first participation”.
Alban Lakata (AUT) Second Place: “The clockwise direction does not suit me very much. After the World Cup, I was not 100 percent present in my head, causing my motivation to subside a bit. So, I was not as concentrated as in the World Cup”.
Lukas Büchl (CH), third place: “Up to the third technical feed zone we were still close together. Then Hynek turned the turbo on at the short, steep climb to Haunold (second mountain prize) and opened a gap. From there, I kept up with Tony Longo. On the climb to Prato Piazza he lost power and I carried on alone”.
Bigham lonely lead amongst the ladies
Sally Bigham won the Südtirol Dolomiti Superbike for the second time in a row. The 35-year-old Vice World Champion from the UK was back in 3:46:31 minutes from the 80 km (2.307 m) marathon distance, thereby making her 13.35 minutes faster than the former Italian cross-country champion, Elena Gaddoni. With 18:26 minutes behind the winner the Italian marathon champion Daniela Veronesi reached the finish.
“Although I felt in great shape," said Sally Bigham, "but I had to cycle very carefully, because I had problems with my gears. For that reason I wanted to avoid breaking the chain if I tread too hard”.
Bigham went into the lead right after the start. Although Veronesi and Gaddoni tried to remain at her rear wheel, but Bigham soon tore away and visibly enlarged her lead. In the battle for second and third place Elena Gaddoni on the last climb to Prato Piazza passed Daniela Veronesi to reach second place at the finish.
Quotes: ladies
Sally Bigham (GB), winner: “It is a great honor for me to win the Dolomiti Superbike in the Alta Pusteria for the second time in a row, because here in 2008 I was placed 28th in the World Championship and where I started my international career”.
Elena Gaddoni (ITA), second place: "I tried for a long time to stay at the rear of Sally to find my rhythm; but Bigham had one more gear”.
Daniela Veronesi (ITA) Third place: "It is an important place on the podium and matches my current capabilities. I tried to take advantage of my strengths on the longer and flatter stretches, as well on the descent. On the last climb, my power left me as the Prato Piazza has always been a problem for me”.
Source: press release
Results, MEN:
1. Hynek Kristian (CZE) 4:25.16,2 25,739 kmh;
2. Lakata Alban (AUT) +1.51,8;
3. Buchli Lukas (CH) +6.36,7;
4. Platt Karl (GER) +13.14,3;
5. Ferraro Damiano (ITA) +14.19,7;
6. Mensi Daniele (ITA) +14.28;
7. Paulissen Roel (BEL) +14.29,0;
8. Nissen Soren (DEN) +14.53,2;
9. Vastaranta Jukka (FIN) +16.30,6;
10. Pirazzoli Mirko (ITA) +16.32,5
Results, WOMEN:
1. Bigham Sally (GB) 3:46.31,5 21,189 kmh;
2. Gaddoni Elena (ITA) +13.35,5;
3. Veronesi Daniela (RSM) +18.26,7;
4. Schwing Katrin (GER) +25.12,6;
5. Krenslehner Verena (AUT) +25.33,4;
6. Hadraschek-Jochem Steffi (GER) +27.52,7;
7. Ferrari Anna (ITA) +31.37,3;
8. Clement Alexandra (SUI) +32.33,0;
9. Gantois Inne (GER) +33.56,9;
10. Menapace Lorenza (ITA) +38.43,9;
COMPLETE RESULTS
