As on day two there was a double victory for the Czech Republic at the third stage of this year’s Alpentour Trophy. Milena Kalasova won the women’s elite, as Lubomir Petrus was successful at the men’s third stage. They secured their victories at the 57 kilometres long stage around Hauser Kaibling and finished first at the Planai-Stadion in Schladming. Petrus attacked on the first climb with Aleksei Medvedev and finished 27 seconds ahead of him. While it was the second stage win for him, his fellow countrywoman Kalasova is still unbeaten at the 24th edition of the race.
“We planned to attack early”, explained Petrus, who had assistance from a teammate at the first climb of the day. “He pulled hard the first hour of the race, which gave us the gap, we needed to fight for the win”, said the Czech. In the final downhill section, he again distanced his companion Medvedev. Third place went to Leader Leonardo Paez, who came directly behind Medvedev into the finish.
The top five reached the finish line within a minute to the stage winner. Best Austrian was Michael Holland as 12th. In the overall standings Paez leads seven Minutes ahead of Medvedev before the final time trial on Sunday. 13 Kilometres from Schladming up to the Schafalm is the menu of the final day of the 24th edition. Belgian Frans Claes is currently third, nine minutes behind Paez.
“I was able to control the race again and so it wasn’t a very difficult day for me. Tomorrow it will be full gas. I love this time trial and I’m really looking forward, hoping for another stage win”, said the multiple World Champion from Columbia.
At the women’s elite Kalasova won her third stage of this edition, five minutes ahead of German Naima Diesner. Third place went to Andrea Böttger, who defended her second place in the overall standings. Fourth of the day was title defender Greete Steinburg from Estonia. Austrian Marlies Feichtenhofer finished fifth.
While Kalasova is settled to win her first Alpentour Trophy, there could be a big fight for the podium. Böttger is quite safe on the second place, but Austrian Feichtenhofer is only leading a small advance to Diesner, who is getting better and better from day to day.