The third stage of the 14th TOUR Transalp powered by Sigma was all about the respective category leaders.

Although 2004 MTB marathon world champion Massimo Debertolis (ITA) and his fellow countryman Johann Pallhuber of Ail Trentino clinched the 131.72 km long stage (2,697 m) from St. Vigil to Sillian in 3:58.13,2 edging off the best ranked men's tea, Michel Minneart (BEL) and Juergen Moreels (BEL) of ERTL/RENZ – Velomotion 1 to the runner-up position (+ 2,2s) in a photo finish decision, the respective top duos of the overall ranking were able to keep hold on their lead.

Austrians Mathias Nothegger and Hans Peter Obwaller of www.nomtraining.com rolled in as third best team with a gap of only 4,6 seconds on the winners therefore defending their overall as well as masters lead in dominant fashion.

Team Strassacker / Garmin consisting of Yellow Bib bearers Florian Vrecko and Nils Kessler crossed the finish line in Austria in sixth position (4:02.37,7) after having been fighting hard together with their main rivals of the men's category to close the gap to the leaders group which had been able to break aways in the first climb to Passo Furcia (1,789 m) and then constantly extended their lead over Lago di Misurina (1,754 m), Passo Sant'Antonio (1,489 m) and Passo Croce di Comélico (1,636 m). 

The two Germans therefore saved 7,6 second on Daniel Pechtl and Martin Ludwiczek from Austrian team Imst Tourismus 1 who still sit in second overall and finished as fourth best team today (4:02.36,9). 

However, the bearers of the Yellow Jerseys had already accepted to lose their lead after some technical defects set them back early in the stage. 

“We had problems with the breaks and had to repair them. But fortunately we were able to close the gap again and catch up with our rivals,” said Florian Vrecko proud and exhausted. 

“It was tough. Actually, we had aimed to take it easy today and just race as fast as we have to; unfortunately we had to go pretty fast.” 

Belgium racers get closer 

Especially as the high profile Belgian athletes of Team ERTL/RENZ – Velomotion 1 made up some time due to her strong performance today.

The duo supported by former German ski racer Martina Ertl climbed to fifth rank of the men's overall ranking and could be a major threat over the upcoming days if the two young guns are able to keep up their pace. 

“It was hard today with all those saddles and the high tempo which was set right from the beginning. We noticed that some had problems so we gave it a go. It was a perfect day for us. Hopefully we can repeat it,” explained Michel Minneart after the race. Leaders stay ahead In all other three categories, it's has been the respective leaders taking home the win therefore extending their already comfortable lead once more.

On the women's side of things, Janine Meyer (GER) and Marina Ilmer (ITA) of LeXXi SmartSuits /ARSV Vinschgau stood out again in 4:31.30,8 with overall women's second team MONTURA GARDA TRENTINO (Marcellina Dossi and Letizia Grotti, 4:49.17,7) claiming another second rank and Germany's Lea Feder and Naima Madlen Diesner of Team Schwalbe 1 climbing the podium as third for the first time (4:53.37,9). 

Austrians Daniela Pintarelli and Andreas Traxl of Team MooserWirt St. Anton am Arlberg (4:13.24,1) triumphed in the mixed category while Swiss Harry Nussbaumer and Stefan Maag of RTU-Gubi's Bikeshop-alfa.ch (4:14.03,9) were only ahead by a nose to take home their three-peat 0,3 seconds ahead of Klaus Elsner and Markus Rieber from Germany racing for Team Continental Thai Do. 

All results can be viewed online.