21.04.2017

MITAS 4 ISLANDS MTB STAGE RACE – DAY 3

Day 3 of the Mitas 4 Islands MTB stage race brought nicer weather and the race was able to progress onto the island of Cres. The longest leg of the whole race is happening here. The sun is shining, it’s 13 degrees Celsius. Today’s start is located on a ferry boat in the port of Merag, a unique experience. Riding out from the ferry onto land and starting their 70 kilometres ahead. It`s a 1.500 metres climb. A change of scenery and a new opportunity to ride hard. Day 3 had the most technical and physically demanding trail. Here, the differences between the stamina of the riders came to light. Cres has the most single trails of all the islands at the Mitas 4 Islands MTB stage race. And having in mind that riders already managed 2 stages at island Krk we can imagine how challenging that must have been for them.

So they started in so call called Queen Stage – right after the start on a ferry riders faced a first ascent of 300 kilometres altitude in only 2 kilometres of climb. Hell of a start! A configuration of terrain gradually changed passing by vineyards and olive groves exchanging with pine tree forest on a sea level.

Demanding stage placed its challenge in front of two Czech teams from the Men category that were racing against each other during almost the whole stage and finally photo finish declared a victory of Mitas Superior Team.

Strong battle has been going on in the Mix category as well where the first 3 teams had a 3 minutes in difference after the finish line.

The overall leaders of the categories have not been changed and current results anticipate their strong time advantage.

Last stage tomorrow in Lošinj!