Anneke Beerten (NED, Specialized Racing) and Nicolas Lau (FRA, Cube Action Team) have claimed victory on the second stop of the Specialized-SRAM Enduro-Series which was staged as final event of the Ziener BIKE Festival Garda Trentino today and therefore successfully repeated their last year's win at Lake Garda.
Two-time world champion Beerten mastered the total of four stages on the 34 kilometre long and – compared to last year – revised course (1,450 m) in 14:31.49 minutes and relegated Anita Gehrig (SUI, Ibis Cycles Enduro Racing, 15:02.77) and Raphaela Richter (GER, Radon Factory Enduro, 15:14.77) to the second and third rank of the women's elite class, respectively.
In the men's elite class, Daniel Schemmel (AUT, DO-Biker/Scott, 11:12.30) and Fabian Scholz (GER, Focus Trail Team, 11:13.99) were able to round out the podium as second and third behind of Lau (10:43.32) while Michal Prokop (CZE, Specialized Racing), winner of the opening event of the tour, had to settle with the fourth place (11:16.40).
Facing foggy weather conditions and a slippery course, a faultless ride on stage four was key to success for Beerten who therefore was able to head Richter, the so far leading rival and winner of the opening stop of the series, off.
“
The fog didn't really bother me, and I really liked the course. I got into a good flow quickly. That was important to be able to win today”, said defending SSES title holder Beerten.
Lau in contrary dominated the competition at whim securing the best time on all four stages whilst not being disturbed at all by a slow puncture which he got right after entering the final stage.
“
I constantly lost air and therefore tried to ride as clean as I could. But in the end, I finished the stage on the rim. As a result, I was totally surprised that I took home the win. I'm super happy,” said the Frenchman.
Jana Goetze (GER, Santa Claus Syndicat) and Clemens Bachmann (GER, Freeriders Kochertal) won the open classes while Remo Heutschi (SUI) clinched the Pro Masters category.
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