Michele Casagrande and Fabian Rabensteiner also won the second stage of the Swiss Epic in Grisons in St. Moritz and defended the leader's shirt. In the women's race, the Germans Adelheid Morath and Bettina Janas won — Swiss women Corina Gantenbein and Kathrin Stirnemann continue to hold the overall lead.
With a clever starting finish, Italians Michele Casagrande and Fabian Rabensteiner (Trek Selle San Marco A) also won the second stage of the Swiss Epic in Grisons. Halfway through the stage in Samedan, they were half a minute behind.
“On the climb to Corviglia, we took the lead and tried to get away right away, but we could have gained even more advantage,” said Casagrande at the finish line. “We then drove the descent to St. Moritz safely so as not to give away the six-minute advantage from the first stage due to a fall or a puncture.”
Yesterday's runners-up Samuele Porro/Damiano Ferraro (Italy) were unable to keep up and lost a good three minutes to their compatriots. Yet they were able to maintain second place overall. Behind them, Swiss Casey South and Noah Blöchlinger defended their third place overall.
For women, the Germans Adelheid Morath and Bettina Janas (KS TREK - Sportograf) showed a strong performance after finishing fifth yesterday. Janas, who is leading the UCI World Cup marathon standings, had stomach problems on Tuesday and had to vomit several times.
“That's why I set my own pace today and tried to drive consistently in particular,” she explained. In the end, she was one and a half minutes ahead of overall leaders Corina Gantenbein and Kathrin Stirnemann. “I drove completely stress-free,” Janas beamed at the finish line.
“Nowhere as beautiful as in Switzerland”
The track in Upper Engadin was still very wet after the rains of the past few days, but it was easy to drive, and the sun rising during the stage raised the mood in the field to a high.
“It's wonderful to drive in Switzerland,” said overall leader Michele Casagrande at the finish line. “Nowhere else are there such beautiful bike parks and trails. It's just fun here!”
German stage winner Bettina Janas was also impressed by the track: “The surrounding area is wonderful and the last downhill ride on the World Cup trail from Corviglia to St. Moritz was a real reward.”
The third stage on Thursday is 80 kilometers and 2450 meters in altitude difference from St. Moritz via the Albula Pass and Tiefencastel to Lenzerheide. The start is at 07:30 a.m.; the race can be won via www.swiss-epic.com be followed live.