Benny Strasser and Nicole Beege win in Steinach

The iXS Downhill Cup stopped this weekend in Austria again for the first run of the German Cup. The only stop of the series held abroad attracted over 450 riders from 17 countries at Steinach am Brenner.

Steinach lies in the Wipptal, right at the Brenner, and with the opening of the bike park last year the little village managed to move into the focus of cycling buffs. And this year Steinach is getting the full attention of the international race scene, as for the first time a run of the iXS German Cup is being held abroad in the neighbouring Austria. The response for the race was amazing and it was booked out pretty quickly. All in all 450 riders took to the start in seven different categories on the 2.9km long course with a drop of approximately 490m, the longest in the history of the iXS German Downhill Cup. The fight for important points in the overall rankings already started on Saturday, when Benny Strasser (GER - Mag41.de Racing) and Kim Schwemmer (GER - Team Specialized Concept Store) secured the fastest times in the seeding runs and therefore the last spot to hit the track on Sunday.

The bad weather had at least the advantage that the riders could leave the mud tyres on the bikes and didn't have to change anything for the finals on Sunday. Motocross style might describe the conditions best. The best to cope was again Benny Strasser, who could prove with two fastest times that he is a good bet in those conditions. He earned the win finishing in 6:25 with more than 11 seconds in front, so it's fair to say he dominated the race. Joonas Savolainen (FIN) came second in the muddy race, while Marcus Klausmann (GER - Ghost Factory Racing) came third.

The women's elite class was again packed with known names, and after her victories in Winterberg and Morgins Sandra Rübesam (GER - Giant Germany) was the favourite in this race. After problems in the seeding run she was the first on the track in her class, and could make herself comfortable in the wet Red Bull Hot Seat. But her time wasn't fast enough in this race, as Nicole Beege (GER - Five Ten/Adidas) was more than 28 seconds faster and took the win in the end. Second came Elke Rabeder (AUT - RRP Revolution Racing Project) followed by the new Swiss hope Alba Wunderlin (SUI - Veloatelier Biel). Rübesam had to accept only finishing fifth this time.

Fastest in the masters category was, like already on Saturday, Rüdiger Jahnel (AUT - Specialized-Mountainbiker.at), who finished ahead of Nino Antic (CRO - Giant) and Benedigt Purner (AUT - O´fetzn Racing). Wilfred van de Haterd (NED - YT Industries) closely missed out on the podium again for the third time in a row, finishing fourth.

In the U17 Ferdinand Brunold (GER - Mag41.com Team) repeated his victory from Winterberg finishing first for the second time this year. Anton Waldén (FIN - DHT) finished second 26 seconds behind, followed by Fabian Kuster (SUI - Stöckli Bike Geroldswil).

Coming up next weekend will be the third race of the European Series in Innerleithen in Scotland. The German Cup continues on 7/8 July in Ilmenau, doubling up as the German Championship.

As usual you can find more information and the full results at: ixsdownhillcup.com