The TREK teams dominate the Swiss Epic in Graubünden. In the fourth stage, the Italians Fabian Rabensteiner and Michele Casagrande consolidated their clear overall lead and for women, the Germans Adelheid Morath and Bettina Janas took the top of the overall standings with their third stage win.
On the penultimate day of the Swiss Epic in Graubünden, a shorter but selective round stage of 48 kilometers and 2,150 meters in altitude difference was due on Lenzerheide.
For men, the two teams of two from TREK Selle San Marco joined forces at the top and dominated the racing action. “We varied the pace so as not to have to mobilize all reserves,” said overall leader Fabian Rabensteiner at the finish line.
The South Tyrolean is impressed by the Swiss Epic in Grisons: “We've already experienced so much in this race. The variety of trails here is simply great fun!”
Despite a lead of eight and a half minutes over Swiss Casey South and Noah Blöchlinger, Rabensteiner and Casagrande do not yet want to bet on an overall victory. “Anything can happen in a stage race. We remain focused until the last corner,” said Rabensteiner.
New women leaders
For women, Swiss women Corina Gantenbein and Kathrin Stirnemann (Shimano S-Phyre) had to relinquish the overall lead: After finishing fourth in the stage, they are third overall before the last day.
The stage was once again dominated by the German duo Adelheid Morath and Bettina Janas (KS TREK - Sportograf). The third stage win in a row also gave them the overall lead - but only 13 seconds ahead of Alice Pirard (Belgium) and Stefanie Dohrn (Germany).
The fifth and final stage on Saturday is 64 kilometers and 2350 meters in altitude difference from Lenzerheide to the final destination in Davos. The start is at 07:30 a.m.; the race can be won via www.swiss-epic.com be followed live.