It was literally a hot elimination race between the top riders. Once again there was a showdown on the Chaschauna Pass, at 2700 meters the highest point of the 137-kilometre loop around the national park. However, there were a few skirmishes before this point was reached. Michael Stünzi tried first on the descent from Costainas. "I like riding down, so I just gave it a go," the man from Grüsch reported at the finish. A lead group of four was formed, including Urs Huber and Daniel Geismayr, who rode a very attentive race.

However, Stünzi soon had to realize that he was not having his best day: "My legs were already hurting in Münstertal." On the climb to Döss Radond, the man from Prättigau had to let go, while Geismayr in particular pushed hard. Under the pace dictation of the Austrian, the leading group formed anew with Urs Huber, last year's winner Simon Stiebjahn and Samuele Porro; a few seconds behind them Markus Kaufmann and last year's runner-up Marc Stutzmann.

Huber and Geismayr were able to pull away slightly until the entrance to Val Mora. But the pace did not remain consistently high. The leading group filled up again over the Alpisella to Livigno. Geismayr, Huber, Kaufmann, Stiebjahn, Porro and Stutzmann tackled the Chaschauna together. The super steep ramps separated the wheat from the chaff. Huber was the first to reach the culmination point, followed at irregular intervals by Geismayr, Kaufmann, Porro, Stiebjahn and Stünzi.

On the 25 km to Zernez, the two duos that will decide the podium places between them finally formed: Huber/Geismayr in front and Kaufmann/Porro about two minutes behind, but they managed to steadily reduce their gap over the remaining 40 km back to Scuol. In the end, the sprint was decisive for both duos.

Huber was satisfied that he was able to draw level with record winner Buchli with his fourth triumph. He said: "The length of the race suited me." He soon knew that he and Geismayr were the strongest. "We were ahead a few times, but then we always slowed down to take it easy." He also rode the Chaschauna at a bearable speed. "I knew that if we came into the Engadin together, a podium place wouldn't look bad. On the climb to Guarda, I tested what my chances were. Geismayr had to let go for a moment. I knew then that I would go for the sprint."

Geismayr took himself by the nose at the finish: "I didn't know the new route to the finish. So I was easy prey for Urs, because I didn't know how long the climb would be." But Huber deserved to win, he had been riding strongly.

"We always had the leading duo in sight, but we didn't ride flat out because we thought there would be help from behind," explained third-placed Kaufmann. Nevertheless, he was satisfied with third place. The season so far had not gone according to plan for him. However, he is now showing signs of improving form in view of the national and world title fights in Valais.

Michael Stünzi reached the finish line in 17th place, 42 minutes behind. Not the result he had hoped for. "I still had the leading group in sight and wanted to catch up on the second descent. I crashed in the process. After that, it was just tough going. I almost rode backwards over the Chaschauna." Fortunately, his team colleague Uwe Hardter helped him with slipstreaming in the Engadin. After that, things went reasonably well again.

Katazina Sosna triumphed in the women's race, almost twelve minutes ahead of last year's winner Esther Süss. "I was clearly faster downhill. But Sosna set an incredible pace, especially on the gradual climbs. I didn't stand a chance," admitted Süss, but put it into perspective that she didn't push herself to the limit in view of the Swiss Championships taking place in a week's time. Third-placed Andrea Ming was satisfied with her performance. She said: "I started a little too fast and then had to slow down. But otherwise I got through the lap well."

Results
Men (137 km): 1. Urs Huber (Mettmenstetten) 5:28:09. 2. Daniel Geismayr (Ö) 0:01. 3. Markus Kaufmann (De) 1:20. 4. Samuele Porro (It) 1:21. 5. Simon Stiebjahn (De) 9:17. 6. Marc Stutzmann (Rüfenacht b. Bern) 9:23. 7. Hansueli Stauffer (Sigriswil) 12:26. 8. Andreas Moser (Madiswil) 14:48. 9. Riccardo Chiarini (It) 21:32. 10. Massimo Debertolis (It) 21:32.


Women (137 km): 1. Katazina Sosna (Let) 6:42:06. 2. Esther Süss (Küttigen) 11:52. 3. Andrea Ming (Edlibach) 17:45.

The Bike Marathon Classics, which has existed since 1996, comprises six stages. Over a maximum distance of 580 kilometers, the mountain bikers have to cover 20,195 meters of altitude in the most beautiful regions of western, central and south-eastern Switzerland as well as in the Vinschgau Valley. Around 2000 participants take part in the two most popular events, the National Park Bike Marathon in Scuol and the Iron Bike Race in Einsiedeln. The o-tour in Alpnach is also part of the UCI's marathon world series this year and is considered a Swiss championship for the first time. World-renowned riders such as three-time marathon world champion Christoph Sauser and four-time Swiss champion and six-time overall series winner Urs Huber have entered their names in the Golden Book of the Classics; among the women, marathon world champion and seven-time Swiss champion Esther Süss has done so.

The 6 races of the Bike Marathon Classics
01.06.2019, Ortler Bike Marathon, Glurns, It
Winner/leader: Urs Huber, Esther Süss
23.06.2019, Celsius BerGiBike, Fribourg/Bulle/FR
Winner/Leader: Urs Huber, Ilona Chavaillaz
11.08.2019, Eiger Bike Challenge, Grindelwald/BE
Winner/leader: Urs Huber, Esther Süss
31.08.2019, National Park Bike Marathon, Scuol/GR
Winner/leader: Urs Huber, Katazina Sosna/Urs Huber, Esther Süss
08.09.2019, o-tour bike marathon Obwalden, Alpnach/OW (SM)
22.09.2019, Iron Bike Race, Einsiedeln/SZ
The overall winners 2018: Urs Huber/Ariane Lüthi

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