I slept great, the alarm clock only rang at 6 and thanks to the Transalp routine, every movement was perfect, so that I rolled into the formation punctually 2 minutes before the start. Starting signal and off to the first climb. It was fast, 350 watts, but I shudder to recall editions of that race where I had to fight breakfast in my throat more on the Ova Spin than worry about holding the rear wheel of the man in front. Today the pace was ok. Pretty even, but so that almost everyone could keep up.
After the tunnel, 3 men said goodbye very inconspicuously - Benjamin Schweinester (Team Tom Siller), Helli Trettwer (Team Baier) and an Italian from the Chiapucci Team were the three escapees of the day. Behind them, our group actually harmonized very well. In Livigno a lot rolled up again, but that's almost always the case before it thins out a bit on the Forcola. I suffered up there, but the ascent seemed to go by much faster after I hadn't skied in the bright red area on the first climb, presumably.
Unfortunately then on the descent there were some tricky situations with potholes and in the last corner a driver shot me in the rear wheel while driving way too fast – a fall was inevitable! I got away with the shock myself, but behind me 2-3 riders fell to the ground. It really didn't have to be and everyone was pretty shocked, which completely ripped the group apart. As always, I fought at the last hole on the Bernina and was only in the 2nd group at the top. All the good guys were ten at the front. Luckily we came back with 10 men and on the level I was finally able to eat and relieve myself.
In Zernez then the classic sprint of the short-distance riders and there were about 20 men left over for the long-distance. I spontaneously headed for the refreshment station in Zernez and stuffed my jersey full, because I was having another day of ravenous hunger, when I felt like nothing was getting to my legs. In the good company of Tom Gschnitzer, I rolled up again and then it was back to business on the Flüela, because Andi Folder booted up the first steep step with 370-380 watts - so that only 7 riders got stuck.
2 drivers were still in front, Benjamin Schweinester won the short distance, Trettwer and the Italian were a good 3 minutes ahead. We agreed that we should be able to do it easily on the descent to Tiefencastel and on the Albula. So the pace dropped slightly before it went into the “flat section” of the Flüela. At the top, Rene Stadelmann pulled away a bit. There were still five of us: Andi Ortner, Johannes Berndl (new to the Corratec team), a racing driver from the Medrisio Racing Team, Davide Tugnoli and myself. We circled well through Davos, the tunnel and the short intermediate driveway, but there was nothing to be seen in front - not even Stadelmann. In the village then the information from a supervisor: "3 men with 1 minute lead"...
After the descent to Tiefencastel and on the first 10 kilometers of the Albula there was still no one in sight - that couldn't be! Then the solution to the riddle: race director Flurin Bezzola called us in: 2 men in front, more than 6 minutes ahead, Stadelmann with a 1:40 lead in between. The drawer almost fell on the handlebars, that's it then... Immediately the young Matteo took over from Mendrisio and increased the pace - only I could follow, the others burst off one after the other. I then helped a lot in the lead and so we found Stadelmann a little later.
I rode the steepest parts of the Albula from the front, but the distance to the top just didn't get any smaller - still 5 minutes. Where did they get their power from up there? They were almost 150 kilometers ahead. I was mentally prepared for a qualifying race on the Albula, but that never happened. So the 300 watts almost felt like going for a walk, but I couldn't have gotten rid of my companion even with a higher pace, he was in great shape. We chatted about his races and of course I knew almost all of them from before. It all went by so quickly and we were almost at the top when the Italian appeared in front of us. It literally stood up and I traipsed onto it again, but Trettwer was still 4:30 ahead at the summit - this power is blatant!
It went down the descent without risk and then towards the finish with a perfect tailwind. We didn't risk anything in the sprint to the finish, I was in front, but Matteo made it smart and pushed up the line - so a shared 2nd place for both of us. Trettwer looked quite relaxed and the arriving riders were pretty exhausted and covered with salt crusts. The order behind us: The Italian escape, Andi Ortner, Rene Stadelmann and Johannes Berndl. After an interview, small talk and target label, I went out with Matteo – this young fellow is a very nice guy.
The afternoon was still glorious over the Engadin, so let's go to the swimming pool and wait for the award ceremony. Now, in the sun, I checked the blog and now it's time to go home. Unfortunately, pictures will follow later and the blog is only available from home with the appropriate internet. I'm looking forward to Peter Lintner's photos and your comments on the blog!
Bye for now,
your Stefan
