Alberti and Nay win Iron Bike Race

A flat front tire robbed last year's winner Hansueli Stauffer of the chance to sprint for victory again. The rider from Sigriswil finished second behind the German Matthias Alberti, with whom he had set the pace at the front over a long stretch. Micha Klötzli crossed the finish line in third place. In the women's race, Alessia Nay took her third victory in the Bike Marathon Classics ahead of the Italian Chiara Burato and Alexandra Zürcher. Martin Fanger, Alessia Nay and Patrick Zürcher (Fun) won the final classification of the Classics on the long distance. Ilona Chavaillaz achieved a flawless series of victories in the middle distance; Sascha Deplazes was the most consistent in the men's race.

"It is very satisfying to end the Bike Marathon Classics season with a victory in Einsiedeln in such perfect conditions," said Ilona Chavaillaz at the finish line on the monastery square in Einsiedeln. If her form allows, she will take part again next year. Middle distance winner Sacha Deplazes and the fun winner on the long distance, Patrick Zürcher, also had nothing but praise for the final race and the course of the season.

In the license category, the final race was once again really close. With his second place, Hansueli Stauffer was able to move up from fourth to second place in the classics. He pushed Micha Klötzli into third place. Damian Perrin's tenth place in the final was enough for him to move up from seventh to fifth place in the overall standings. It was Perrin who received the leader's jersey on behalf of his absent team-mate Martin Fanger.

The five race organizers of the Bike Marathon Classics had decided to exceptionally suspend the rule that participation in the final race is mandatory. This year, the Iron Bike Race overlaps with the Bike Marathon World Championships in Snowshoe, USA, in which Fanger is also taking part. Just like the German champion Andreas Seewald, who, like Fanger, won two Classics races and finished the series in fourth place.

"It paid off to ride with measured risk on the rough descent back to Alpthal. Stauffer risked everything and got a flat tire, which paved the way to victory for me," said Matthias Alberti, summarizing the course of the race. The German described the victory in Einsiedeln as "the highlight of a season with constant improvements in performance." Stauffer, on the other hand, took it on the chin and said: "It's my own fault. First this unnecessary flat tire at the front and then I also struggled with myself for the longest time. By the time I finally found my rhythm again, Alberti was already over the hill." Compared to last year, when he won the Classics overall classification for the first time, the final race was a mirror image of this year's season. Too much had gone wrong this year, according to Stauffer. Third-placed Micha Klötzli said: "The pace at the front was very high. Although Fabian and I harmonized well, we couldn't close the gap."

In the women's race, Alessia Nay was already the overall winner before the final. Nevertheless, the Grisons native was determined to give it her all once again; her first long-distance victory on the Iron Bike course. And that "even though I didn't have my best day today", explained Nay, who was otherwise very satisfied with the course of the season: "I surprised even myself with that." Second-placed Chiara Burato from Italy had nothing but words of praise for her rival: "Alessia rode very strongly today. But I am also satisfied with my performance. Compared to last year, I was able to improve by 20 minutes."

Third-placed Alexandra Zürcher was also at peace with herself. She said: "The handlebars came loose on the way and I had to stop to tighten them again. Luckily, it didn't happen on the downhill." Overall, she is satisfied with the season - even if she was initially a little annoyed that Alessia Nay was riding so strongly. But she doesn't begrudge her.