Race Report | Reiser and Büchi win EES #3 at Reschenpass
Crisscrossing the three countries of Austria, Switzerland and Italy, Markus Reiser (GER) and Monika Büchi (CH) prevailed in the thrilling third round of the 2015 European Enduro Series held on the scenic trails of the Reschen Pass on July 26.
Markus Reiser (GER) from Team Focus took victory in the third stop of the EES 2015 at the Reschen Pass, finishing ahead of Gustav Wildhaber (CH) and his brother and fellow Focus teammate Tobias Reiser (GER). Dominating the EES 2015, Team Focus also clinched fifth place with the injury-plagued Fabi Scholz (GER). “The trails were so much fun and it was a real blast riding in this region today,” said the victorious Reiser after finishing the cross-border race that takes in trails in Austria, Switzerland and Italy. But it wasn’t just the Elite Men who relished the real techy sections and downhill parts of the race, as the Elite Women’s category saw Monika Büchi from Switzerland rock the trails ahead of Team Focus’s Lisa Policzka (GER) in second place. The women’s podium was completed with the addition of the brilliant third-placed Sandra Börner (GER).
Benedikt Purner (AUT) once again claimed the top step of the podium of the Male Masters 30+ Class and was delighted by both the atmosphere and the course. Daniela Michel from Switzerland dominated the Women Masters in this stunning landscape, and Kevin Maderegger from Austria seized victory in the Male Junior Class. After suffering a broken chain, the current leader of the series Michal Prokop (CZE) was forced to back out of the race in stage 2, doubting whether he could finish the stage, which demanded a fair amount of pedaling.
From the Mediterranean Sea to the high Alpine terrain of Sölden, stop #3 in Reschen was as spectacular as the ones that came before it but with the added highlight of taking riders through three different countries. With four gondolas and six stages, the course saw riders border-hop through Austria, Switzerland and Italy over a total length of 53 km. From flow trails to rooty and rocky parts, it was a hotly contested, fast race interspersed with breathtaking views of the picturesque lake to complement the fantastic atmosphere. Unfortunately for the riders though, there was very little time to enjoy the view as stage 6 was a true test of their riding skills – steep and rooty trails in a thick, dark forest.
The third stop of the EES 2015 satisfied both riders and spectators, providing a thrilling race through the three-border region on scenic trails with a view of Lake Reschen. With 255 competitors and an all-new podium, it was a race for the records. The shredders are now ready for a short summer break before EES 2015 continues at the beginning of September in Molveno-Paganella.
For all results please visit: www.europeanenduroseries.com/results
For additional information on the EES 2015, the regulations and registration, please visit the following platforms:
http://europeanenduroseries.com
https://www.facebook.com/europeanenduroseries
Words Trailsolutions Photos: Andreas Vigl
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