14 May
avatar Author:
Topeak

Alban is European Champion 2013

Great racing weekend for the Topeak-Ergon Racing Team: Alban Lakata scores his second European Champion title, Sally Bigham wins silver medal and Nadine Rieder wins bronze at the Eliminator Sprint at the Rothaus Hegau Bike-Marathon in Singen, Germany. Robert Mennen finishes with a great 12th after a long injury break.

alban_european_champion_2013

After his last week victory at the Bike Marathon in Riva del Garda, Alban Lakata was in good spirit to win a medal at the European Championships in Singen, Germany. That his good spirit turned into a gold medal was not what he expected. “I wanted to win a medal, but that I could win my second European title was not what I expected, especially because of that wavy track we had”, said the new European Champion.

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Untypical marathon track


The zick-zack profile was a very untypical shape for a marathon race. Long-distance expert Alban Lakata was not very confident on the track: “We rode full throttle on the short uphill sections and that hit really hard on me. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to finish the race with that speed but in the end the other riders felt the same and I was able to take advantage of my long breath.”

On the other hand, the luck was on Albans side this past weekend. Around 100 meter before the finish line his opponent and leader of the race Christoph Sauser had technical difficulties with his chain. “I was focusing on the last hard sprint when Christoph had problems with his chain”, said the 33-year old Austrian.

His latest big title victory on German ground after the European Champion 2008 and World Champion 2010 was no surprise for the Albanator: “The time was right and it really motivates me when the fans are on sight. Mountain biking is very popular in Germany and has a high status.” Alban finished the 96km and 2100 ascents with 3:37:48 overall time. Besides the short rain showers the weather was fine.

 

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Third time silver medal for Sally


The Topeak-Ergon lady Sally Bigham also made a strong impression. Sally won the silver medal. The 35-year old rider from the UK was suffering from a cold since two weeks but she was able to dominate the race from the beginning on. She started a leading group with the other two favorites in the filed Esther Suess and Sabine Spitz. 28km later the leading trip was already two minutes ahead from the rest of the riders. Spitz had to let go Esther Suess and Sally and from that moment on the European Championship was a duel between the two remaining riders. Sally finished the 75km long race with 3:24:06 overall time just one short minute behind Esther Suess and a strong 6:40min gap to Sabine Spitz. “After 2 weeks of illness I’m happy to take the silver medal today in the European Marathon Championships in Singen, Germany. That’s 3 silver medals in 3 consecutive years, perhaps I can take gold next year”, said Sally happy after the race.

 

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Sprint bronze medal for Nadine

Nadine Rieder also ended up on the podium. Nadine won the bronze medal in the German Eliminator-Sprint Nationals. The 23-year old German rider from Sonthofen was not happy about her bronze medal at first: “To be honest, I wanted to finish with a better position”, said Nadine after the race. Shortly after this statement she already focused on the next race: “I am looking forward to my very first sprint World Cup next Friday.”

 

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Mennen happy with his performance


Robert Mennen completed the perfect circle for Topeak-Ergon this past weekend. The German rider was back on the track after his injury. Mennen broke is collarbone during the Cape Epic earlier this year. Robert ended up on 12th position — a great comeback.
”I am very happy with my 12th place and I am also super happy for my team colleague Alban Lakata and his European champion title”, stated a relaxed Robert Mennen after this great weekend.

This article was originally posted on Topeak Ergon Racing Team website.

 

 

 

 

 

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8 May
avatar Author:
Topeak

Team Topeak-Ergon’s Riva Festival was almost perfect

It was a superb festival for the Topeak Ergon Racing Team. This last weekend in Riva del Garda, in the Italian lakes, Bike magazine’s MTB festival took place. Alban Lakata won the Ronda Extrema and Milena Landtwing the Ronda Grande. At the ’Knack den Kurschat’ (Crack Kurschat) competition, Wolfram was not to be beaten.

Not before time (his words) Alban Lakata won the legendary Riva Mountain Bike Marathon. Not before time because the Topeak-Ergon racer has won here nearly every event, aside from the longest one. “It really was about time”, the happy Austrian admitted, “especially when you consider that it was practically in this location 13 years ago that I very first took up mountain biking.” For his competitors it was a clear sign of his form as the European Marathon Championships looms this coming weekend. In Italy, he covered the 93.93km with a height differential of 3,813m with a total time of 4:20.39hrs, finishing almost 5 minutes ahead of his nearest rival.

Speaking of the race, Lakata, the 2010 World Champion, admits that the Riva Marathon has always been one of his favourites. The Austrian was however particularly impressed by the new course in use this year, “it was great, a lot more technical on the descents a quite a bit more demanding overall.” His strategy was a good one: “I had requested that my tyres were changed to something a lot more heavy duty. It meant that I could really go for it in the descents, taking more risks. It allowed me to open a gap on the last descent, and hold that to the finish.” With such a success fresh in the memory, the thoughts turn to winning a European Championship: “Well yes, it would be about time, wouldn’t it!?” Lakata grins when asked, “my last European title was in 2008 — in Germany, just like this year.”

Milena also had a good reason to smile. Winning the Ronda Grande amongst the women with an advantage of 13 minutes over 75.7km and 2,822m climbed in 4hr 02m 33s. “I am delighted with the result”, the Swiss Marathon Champion said “following a somewhat bumpy start to the season, I am now where I should be.” It was also a strategic victory. “I worked very hard not to ride away as fast as I can. I didn’t want to push myself too hard too early.” The multiple Transalp winner managed to gain a lot of time in the descents, “the new course is a lot more technical, and flows a lot better, that played into my hands.”

Sally Bigham was unable to race owing to a cold, while Wolfram Kurschat dropped out of the race. All the same, Kurschat was focussed on a different discipline at the festival. The new hill time trial format, known as “Canyon Knack den Kurschat powdered by Ergon” was an invitation to anyone who fancies themselves as a hill climber to beat World Cup rider Wolfram. It was extremely popular — nearly 100 riders, both professionals and amateurs alike tried to get close to him. However none of them were able to, as Wolfram himself twice beat his own record of 11:03 minutes set in December. At the end of the event, Wolfram’s record was 9:15 minutes. “I have surprised myself. I wanted to beat the 10 minute mark, but being nearly 1 minute under that — I didn’t expect”. The course was a 3.1km ascent gaining some 270m. Kurschat rode it with an average of over 20km/h, and an average wattage of 504 watts. Even if no one else was able to ride as fast as him, it didn’t ruin the atmosphere of the challenge. For many it was about being able to compare and setting a time for themselves with a view of bettering it. One person particularly worth a mention was the amateur rider with a time of 9:40minutes, and the best licence holder at 9:47 minutes. The fastest woman was Eva Welka, finishing with a time of 16:47.

This article was originally posted on Topeak Ergon Racing Team website.

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17 Apr
avatar Author:
Topeak

Irina again with impressive performance in Münsingen

Topeak-Ergon rider Irina Kalentieva showed again an impressive performance at the MTB Bundesliga race in Münsingen, Germany. She finished the race in fourth position. That is her third time visit on the podium in her current season. Alban Lakata finished 14th and Wolfram Kurschat placed 19th. Nadine Rieder finished the sprint in second position.

The Topeak-Ergon marathon riders already started very good into the new season and now the two-time XC world champion Irina Kalentieva was also able to show an impressive start into season 2013. Kalentieva placed fifth at the first MTB Bundesliga race in Bad Säckingen, Germany two weeks ago. She also placed forth at the BMC Cup in Schaan, Switzerland and showed a great performance this past Sunday in Münsingen, Germany.

“I felt really great today and the weather conditions were also perfect”, said the Olympic bronze medal winner from 2008. It was a nice benefit for the riders to race in bright sunshine after the harsh winter. “To race here is almost a home game for me, a lot of fans are here and they are cheering me on ? that?s awesome.” The smart girl from Russia seemed to like the 5.02km long course. “The course is not very technical but fast and the new start-finish area with jumps and bumps is really fun.”

For most time of the race Irina rode in fifth position. By the end of the race she was able to fight here way up to place four. Kalentieva crossed the finish line after 1:25:54 hours over all time and with just 2:37 minutes backlog. “My plan was to finish top three”, said the XC specialist afterwards, “but I am happy with my forth place”. It is more important to show steady good results. “That shows that I am on the right way ? and I really know exactly what to do know!”

That can be seen as a hint to the very first world cup race for this season in Albstadt, Germany at the 18th of May. Aiming on the first world cup race the Bundesliga races can surely be seen as preparation races. A high altitude training camp is next for Irina. So everything is going according to plan …

The Topeak-Ergon men Alban Lakata and Wolfram Kurschat rode the Bundesliga race as well. Both finished in a ten-man strong follower group. Alban was able to finish 14th and Wolfram came in 19th. Nadine Rieder placed 20th in the women elite class and finished second in the sprint.

This article was originally posted on Topeak Ergon Racing Team website.

 

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19 Mar
avatar Author:
Topeak

Topeak heads to the International Taipei Cycle Show March 20th to 23rd

The worldwide cycling industry once again comes to Taiwan for the 2013 International Taipei Cycle Show March 20th – 23rd.

Topeak invites its distributors, buyers and dealers to visit us at booth #L523 in the Nangang Exhibition Hall for the 2013 International Taipei Cycle Show.

Date: March 20th – 23rd

Booth: L523

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5 Mar
avatar Author:
Topeak

red dot design award – winner 2013

Topeak wins international red dot design award 2013 for MiniRocket iGlow and PrepStation.

 

 

 

 

 

Dedicated cyclists faithfully carry an inflation pump while out pedaling the roads.  This common accessory is carried 100% of the time, yet it isused only occasionally. Topeak has created a fascinating combination of illumination with a mini inflation pump for added foul weather and nighttime cycling safety – thus extending the usefulness of the loyal pump. The MiniRocket iGlow mini pump features a transparent barrel with ingenious optical fiber element, which transmits a 360 degree bright red LED glow to alert motorists of the cyclist’s location on the road.  Yet when needed to fill a flat tire, this constant companion easily fills the tube to its original high pressure. The MiniRocket iGlow is mini pump with the heart of a safety light.

 

A finely tuned bicycle enhances the cycling experience – from enthusiast to professional competitor – and guarantees an optimal performing machine. The Topeak PrepStation creates an ingeniously organized repair environment for upgrading, tuning and rebuilding any type of bicycle. The compact, self-contained toolbox rolls on integrated wheels for easily moving about the work area, cycling race or event. 40 professional quality shop tools are housed within five brilliantly designed stacking tool trays which raise to a convenient working height and rotate around a central column to provide complete access to all tools – at all times.  A generous base compartment provides ample storage for spare parts, cleaning supplies, lube, degreaser and any other extras a mechanic might need.

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23 Oct
avatar Author:
Eddie

Bike Art

One of the perks of being the In-Market rep for Topeak is getting to travel to all the great biking cities and towns across the US.  I won’t bore you with a list, but I will share some of the cool bicycle art I have seen along the way.

Beltline Atlanta’s WindRider

 

 

Phil’s Trails Intersection Art Bend, OR Window Dressing in Bend, OR

 

No shortage of water bottles on this rig at Goodale's Bike in NH No shortage of water bottles on this rig at Goodale’s Bike in NH

 

Bonebike in Charleston, SC

 

Works of Art at the Bicycle Museum of America New Bremen, OH

 

Bicycle Mural in Chicago, IL

 

Highway Sign Art in Oxford, MS

 

 

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23 Oct
avatar Author:
Topeak

The PanoBike App is available now!

The PanoBike App is available for free in the Apple App Store.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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3 Oct
avatar Author:
tsn_dorothy

Topeak is a proud sponsor of Bicycling Magazines Fall Classic!

 

Join Bicycling’s editors on remarkable rides traversing their favorite roads amid Eastern Pennsylvania’s rolling hills!

• Pick your distance and ride at your own speed on scenic routes from 10 to 90 miles, suited to riders of every ability level
• Challenge yourself to conquer the hills with chip timing on the 90-mile route and prizes for top climbers
• Ride safely and confidently with on-course nutritional, mechanical and medical support
• Take a victory lap with a “Roubaix” finish around the world-famous Valley Preferred
Cycling Center (“T-Town” velodrome) track
• Enjoy a festive post-ride party with lunch, free beer, live music and massage
• All riders will receive a commemorative Bicycling Fall Classic steel pint glass from Klean Kanteen

 

http://www.bicycling.com/fallclassic

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5 Sep
avatar Author:
tsn_dorothy

Topeak will be at Interbike 2012

Come check out the 2013 new Topeak products and giveaways (booth 20003). Interbike is the largest trade show in North America. There will be ample opportunity to see the new 2013 products and talk to the professionals who know our products well. See you there.

 

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27 Aug
avatar Author:
Topeak

Topeak Heads to EUROBIKE 2012

The largest brands in cycling will converge in Friedrichshafen, Germany for the EUROBIKE trade show August 29th to September 1st.

The global cycling trade show is the annual exhibition where dealers and consumers get to see the newest and most innovative products for the coming cycling season.

Once again Topeak is set to present their newest products.  New Tools, pumps, lights and much more to make cycling more enjoyable.

EuroBike Show: August 29th – September 1st, 2012

Booth #B4-303

 

The following are just a few of our new 2013 products.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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