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The myth of the TransAlp remains
18,808m of climbing, 528km, three countries, eight stages, 24hours 50 minutes and 57 seconds of maximum concentration, of unrelenting physically challenging terrain, of extreme cold, extreme heat and at the end, a fantastic 7th place. For Team Topeak Ergon, the TransAlp 2009 was a successful mission.
Over the eight days, Alban Lakata and Dave Weins, who previously had never met, grew into a real team. From day to day their partnership became stronger and their support for each other became better targeted. “It was an honour to ride with Dave Wiens. As the race went on, we got to know each other’s weaknesses and over-come them together. Our newly found friendship was very new but it worked, and seventh place is a good result”.
From day to day, and stage to stage things seemed to get better and better for the team in green and black. The fourth place on the sixth stage showed what they were capable of and saw them climbing the overall classification. The only thing that eluded them was a place in the top five, as the route to Lake Garda really began to take its toll. The 44 year old American and 30 year old Austrian can still be pleased with seventh. They built a team, and had a chemistry. Placing two people unknown to each other together was a gamble that paid off.
“For me, it was a great success. The equipment worked perfectly for the eight days, there were no serious problems” Lars Hartwich, the team mechanic, said of his experience at the event. “Given the conditions, this shouldn’t be taken for granted”.
Physiotherapist Werner Faust was of a similar opinion. “The boys were having fun. They talked of the experience the whole time while being treated. You could tell that they were taking it seriously too though. Mainly, it was great that there were no injuries to treat.”
The conclusion was left to Lars “The Transalp was an awesome experience. The atmosphere was superb, and the general feeling at the start and finish each day. Couple that with the landscape and the honesty, it was good that the words just fail me. The myth lives on.”
About this Article:
- Date:
- Aug 01, 2009
- Author:
- Benjamin Brochhagen
Alban and Dave en-route from Sarnthein to Kaltern
Dave and Alban awaiting the start in Brixen
Alban Lakata on the stage to Andalo
Dave Wiens digs deep on his was to Brixen
Werner greets Alban at the end of the stage
