Successful 2012 endurance racing season for Team Topeak-Ergon on Continental tires

The German handmade tire specialists Continental equipped Team Topeak-Ergon with race winning tires for the 2012 season. The light and fast rolling compound of the black & gold tires helped the team athletes’ ride to victory in marathons and cross country events throughout the season. Amongst their victories was the first ever European win at the legendary “Leadville Trail 100” endurance race and Irina Kalentieva’s fourth place at the Olympic Games in London 2012. While giving their very best at each race, the pro riders knew, they can fully rely on the traction qualities of their Conti tires.

Very few people have the strength to battle through their misfortunes - Alban Lakata however, did not have that issue during his race at the legendary North American marathon race “Leadville Trail 100”. Alban was a strong front runner of the leading group right from the start of the 100 mile race, when after 15 miles the group got misguided by a race marshall. Alban, followed by other athletes rode into the wrong direction, circling for 6 miles and losing important time, before they finally rejoined the track. Nevertheless, the 33-year old Austrian never lost his rhythm or motivation during the race – his powerful legs rolled the Conti tires over 100 miles, overcoming more than 14,000 vertical feet (4,300 meters). Obviously, Lakata’s legs and stamina were both in ‘tip-top’ shape, which enabled him to take the win. Without the time loss caused by the unlucky detour in the beginning of the race, Alban probably would have set a new record for the Leadville Trail 100 race. Moreover, Alban Lakata took the win in some of the most prestigious European marathons, such as the Kitzalp race in Austria and the traditional and very well known Dolomiti Superbike. Alban rounded off the year with a powerful team performance at the Craft Bike Transalp in July this year. Here, together with his teammate Robert Mennen (GER) he took the win at this prestigious stage race across the Alps. Their performance at the Craft Bike Transalp is even more impressive, considering they had to deal with a massive 10 minute time loss during the first stage, due to technical issues. However, none of the competitors, long Alpine climbs or severe summer heat could stop them from winning the race. All of Alban Lakata’s 2012 victories are impressive race wins, demonstrating his consistency during the 2012 racing season.


For German endurance specialist Robert Mennen, the 2012 season has been a very successful one as well: besides taking the win at the Craft Bike Transalp together with Lakata, the 27-year old established himself within the world’s elite in marathon

racing. He showed his strong bike handling skills during the technical descents and the tough steep climbs of the famous Kitzalp marathon and placed 7th. Also, within the international Cross Country circuit, he impressed everyone with his Bronze medal at the German Championships at Bad Säckingen.

Likewise, Russian rider Irina Kalentieva, earned herself some great results in both marathon and the Cross-Country circuits. By the end of July, “Ira” won the National Russian Cross Country Championships for the 9th time in Chebksary. Furthermore, she was a constant top-10 member within the Women’s Cross Country Worldcup. However, her greatest success of 2012 has to be her 4th placed finish at the Olympic Cross Country (XCO) race in London. At the Marathon World Championships which took place on October 6th – 7th, Irina powered through rain and mud on her Conti X-Kings to finish in 4th position. A great achievement, especially considering how tough the riding conditions were during the whole race and with temperature droppings down to a chilly 12 degrees Celsius.


The British athlete, Sally Bigham followed Irina across the line in 5th place at the same event. “This course was exceptionally challenging and dangerous. I survived … and placed 5th. A good result, even though it could have been better.” In addition, Sally managed to win the legendary marathon race - Dolomiti Superbike and the Craft Bike Transalp 2012 stage race with racing partner Milena Landtwing (SUI). They showed total domination over their competition by winning each of the eight stages! A spectacular overall win which greatly contributed to the team result of Topeak-Ergon. Also earlier this year Sally triumphed at the South African stage race Absa Cape Epic 2012 with her racing partner Esther Süss from Switzerland.

Then, together with team colleague Wolfram Kurschat (GER), Sally focused on the famous French mountain bike festival Roc d’Azur on October 13th-14th. Despite having to give up in the Marathon World Championships due to a harsh crash early in the race, Kurschat expressed his positive attitude before the event: “I hope that at the Roc d’Azur festival, I am able to demonstrate the full array of my skills for the first time this season.” His hopes came true and assisted by the high traction qualities of Conti’s “Race King” he earned himself the 7th place at the Cross-Country event. Robert Mennen finished behind Wolfram Kurschat, placing 8th. For Kurschat, the Roc d’Azur at Fréjus meant a nice ending of a mixed 2012 racing season that he started very promising. At the Afxentia stage race (Cyprus) earlier this year, he won the Cross Country event, furthermore earning himself a 5th place at the opening race of the Sunshine Cup in Cyprus.
At the Roc d’Azur the female riders of the Topeak Ergon Team delivered another impressive performance. Sally Bigham won the marathon class powering ahead of all her rivals. Irina Kalentieva managed to achieve an amazing 2nd place finish at Roc d’Azur’s Cross-Country competition.


Have a look at the bike-tv.cc footage from the Leadville Trail 100 race included in their Bike TV-Episode #176: http://www.bike-tv.cc/