The 4 Stage MTB Lanzarote 2018 edition kicked off today under extremely windy conditions but with excitement in the air for many the first MTB race of the season.
A moment of silence was followed in memory of Aage Klostermann, one of the founders of the 4 Stage competition who passed away just a day before the race.

Sergio Mantecón (ESP) and David Rosa (POR) took the lead early on their way across the dunes towards Muñique, but bikers Søren Nissen (LUX) and Karl Markt (AUT) quickly joined them on the fight for the lead.  It was at this moment that the first group of riders separated from the rest of the field and were to lead the race until the end. Karl Markt (AUT) was dominating the leading group whilst Søren Nissen and David Rosa kept fighting for the runner-up which the man from Luxembourg could claim for himself after Rosa crashed for the second time.
After the race, the winner commented how hard the weather affected him:
 “It’s always windy here in Lanzarote but today was much more than the last years, it was really hard. I think on the first spot on the mountain the wind was so heavy that it holds your bike, it was so difficult, it cost a lot of energy. I hope for a better weather the next days.” Said Markt.

Among the women, Spain’s Mayalen NORIEGA BELAUSTEGUIGOITIA (ESP) took the first place with only 1 minute to spare in front of second-placed Isla SHORT (GBR). It was a dramatic victory.
“At first, we were going fine, along with the three top female leaders, then I hit a rock and fell, so I spent half of the race catching up with the rest. On the last two kilometers I took the lead and was able to pass Isla.” said Mayalen.
Malayen also expressed her gratitude to Club La Santa, thanking the organization for introducing a start-line only for women for the first time in a race held in Spain.
 
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Join us for tomorrows 60 Km course at 9.00am at the Club La Santa Stadium for Stage 2.

Register now: www.clublasanta.com/4StageMTB