Over 750 professionals and amateurs brave the tough conditions of the 20th Ischgl Ironbike. With total prize money of 21,140 euros, it is the most expensive mountain bike marathon in Europe - and also one of the most difficult. Challenging trails and very steep climbs ensure that participants' calves are on fire. After a distance of 79 kilometers and 3,820 vertical meters, Urs Huber from Team Bulls and Esther Süss from Team Wheeler-iXS emerge victorious from the race. Milena Landtwing opts for the middle distance and emerges as the clear winner. Still weakened from the M3 marathon in Montafon, she doesn't want to waste any more energy in view of the Swiss championships over the long distance and therefore chooses the more energy-saving option.

Urs Huber proves to have the strongest legs on the long distance. The Swiss rider dictates the pace and rides to victory in the 20th Ischgl Ironbike after less than four hours. Markus Kaufmann from Germany took second place and fought a thrilling duel with Huber throughout the race. Just behind Kaufmann, the young Austrian Hermann Pernsteiner snatched the last place on the podium. In the women's race, Esther Süss shows that her form is on the rise again. She is around ten minutes ahead of second-placed Austrian Petra Marchart-Robeischl, with Swiss marathon champion Ariane Kleinhans in fourth place.

Swiss marathon runners can also be found at the front in the other age groups on the various courses. Cyrille Gallin from St. Moritz wins the U45 class on the 79-kilometer course. Sabrina Compassi took second place in the women's over 35 age group over the same distance. Third place in the men's over 45 age group goes to multiple Cape Epic winner and iron-willed Bärti Bucher. There are three more podium places on the middle distance for Yvonne Boss in second place in the women's U35 category, Dominic Leu also in second place in the men's over 35 category and Beni Malgiaritta in third place in the U45 category. Daniel Baumgartner rounded things off with third place on the short course.

Ischgl Palio Eliminator gets off to a spectacular start
On August 1st, the sprint specialists will put their skills to the test at the Ischgl Palio XCE and compete for prize money of 2,100 euros. The spectacular circuit through the center of Ischgl is the setting for the thrilling short race in a knockout system. Italy's Elia Silvestri and Germany's Nadine Rieder show their sprinting prowess and nerves of steel to take victory in this sprint race. In the men's race, two Swiss athletes also put in a good performance. Michael Hutter and Roger Jenny both advanced to the grand final and finished third and fourth respectively.

The Ironbike weekend has established itself as a fixed date in the European mountain bike scene and will be held in Ischgl again next year.

Results

www.ischglironbike.com