Sydor and Bresser win Trans Germany

Alison Sydor and Carsten Bresser (Rocky Mountain / Haywood) triumphed in all eight stages of the inaugural Trans Germany race.

Right after the race, Bresser said, "It was a pleasure and honour for me to bike together with Alison. I really enjoyed the whole week. It was very nice how all stage towns welcomed us and sent us back on the track. I didn't expect this at all." Bresser said it was the perfect debut for the new race.

Veteran Sydor has been pro for 13 years, along the way winning three World Championships and a silver medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. "Carsten is a really good friend of mine and it's great to ride with him," said Sydor during her first participation on a team in a stage race.

During the Trans Germany, 188 teams and 37 individuals covered 836.79 km and 18,313 meters of climbing. The racers travelled west to east from St. Wendel to Oberwiesenthal crossing seven German Federal States.

Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm were the overall winners. Both pros of Team Bulls, took home five out of eight stage victories and needed just 28:52:41 hours for the whole distance.

What does it take to keep a race like this rolling? More than 100 chains, 70 tyres, 60 cassettes, 150 cables, 30 switchgears, 30 derailleurs, and 250 brake linings were repaired or replaced by race sponsors and service partners. Racers used up 300 metres of bandages and 1,000 compresses.

Next up for Sydor and Bresser is the Trans Alps Challenge in July 14-21. Carsten is a two-time German Champion and has won the Trans Alps four times. 2007 will mark the 10th edition of the race.

Click here for Cyclingnews' full coverage of the Trans Germany race.