The Ischgl Ironbike is considered one of the toughest mountain bike races in Europe and, in addition to the Extreme route (70 km / 3,400 m), it also covers the distances Light (25 km / 660 m), Medium (44 km / 1,890 m) and Hard (59 km / 2,720 m). In a participant field densely populated with international top riders, Claudia Peretti from Italy and the Austrian Hermann Pernsteiner managed to prevail on the long route.
In total, over 700 active participants took on the four Ironbike routes along historical smuggler paths through the impressive natural scenery of the Silvretta massif. License and frequent riders were able to collect points for the ÖRV Austria Marathon Cup and the “Mountainbike Challenge”.
Pernsteiner ends the long dry spell for the Austrians
13 years have passed since the last victory of an Austrian in the long-distance category of the legendary Ischgl Ironbike. Alban Lakata achieved this feat in 2011. Since then, the men's competition has consistently been dominated by international, mostly Swiss, athletes. Urs Huber has etched his name into the history books as the most successful Ironbike dominator of the last decade.
However, this year Hermann Pernsteiner secured a domestic victory in the Extreme Distance category. The Lower Austrian, who now competes on the road for Team Felt Felbermayr, claimed the victory in Ischgl with a total time of 3 hours and 39 minutes. The Italian Lorenzo Samparisi finished second, six minutes behind. Swiss rider Frans Claes took third place. Another Austrian, Daniel Geismayr, finished in the top ranks in fourth place. The best Tyrolean was Pernsteiner's teammate Daniel Federspiel.
In the women's competition, the Italian Claudia Peretti won decisively after 4 hours and 45 minutes, ahead of the Czech Milena Kalasova and the German Gloria Baier-Hänsel.
The best Austrian women were the Sommers from Mühlviertel - daughter Clara and mother Sabine - finishing in 4th and 5th places.
Federspiel and Daubermann win in the Short Track
Just as exciting as the Marathon Saturday was the start on Friday with the Short Track race. Here, the Tyrolean favorite Daniel Federspiel prevailed among the men, and the German Luisa Daubermann among the women.
Besides the elite riders, the youngest participants could also showcase their skills at the Ironbike Kids & Juniors Trophy presented by Volksbank Tirol.
"We are pleased that so many were at the start of the 29th edition of the Ischgl Ironbike. From the youngest to the elite, there were great performances on one hand, and on the other, the event was completed without any accidents. Our thanks go to the many helpers who ensured a smooth process," said Alexander von der Thannen, Chairman of TVB Paznaun-Ischgl.
Silvretta MTB King and Queen 2024
Auch in diesem Jahr wurden wieder der Silvretta MTB King bzw. Silvretta MTB Queen gekürt.
Die Kombiwertung aus der Teilnahme am M³ Montafon Mountainbike Marathon sowie beim Ischgl Ironbike wurden über die Strecken M³ extreme und Ironbike Extreme (King) sowie M³ extrem und Ironbike Hard (Queen) ausgetragen. Hier holten sich Daniel Geismayr (AUT) und Nicole Tschann (SUI) jeweils die Titel.
Jeweils eine Streckenlänge darunter gingen die Titel Silvretta Prince und Princess an K. Daniel (RSA) und Susan Visscher (NED). Sie alle wurden mit einem königlichen Preisgeld bedacht.
Pernsteiner ends the long dry spell for the Austrians |
Federspiel and Daubermann win in the Short Track |
Silvretta MTB King and Queen 2024 |
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