Tim Smeenge and Teus Ruijter started the Bike Transalp very well today with a third place behind the winning Belgian/Austrian duo Frans Claes and Manuel Pliem. At the Reschensee, the Swiss Urs Huber and German Simon Schneller came in second after 52 kilometers in the stage that started in Nauders in the morning.
“It was a short stage today, but with 2200 meters of altitude and technical descents, partly on an enduro route. So it was important to keep riding well concentrated. From the start we chose our own pace to make sure we didn’t dig too deep because with six stages to go it’s important to stay fresh until the end. Tomorrow another long stage of almost 100 kilometers to Livigno awaits us,” said Smeenge.