The Steinl couple: Instead of training rides, suddenly side by side with the big names in the scene

Created: 04/20/2022, 09:30 am

By: Paul Hopp

Done and happy: Tina Steinl in the finish area after the two-day "Epic Gran Canaria" race.

© private

Actually, Tina and Gerhard Steinl went to Gran Canaria for training.

But then they took part in a stage race and met real greats there.

Gran Canaria – For this special occasion, Tina and Gerhard Steinl quickly threw their training plan overboard.

Originally, the two cyclists from Deutenhausen on Gran Canaria wanted to complete a so-called basic training.

But then it turned out that the "Epic Gran Canaria" race was taking place there at the same time.

The racing bike competition is part of the "UCI Granfondo World Series", in which numerous old stars and ex-professionals take part.

The Steinls decided to take part at short notice.

"If we're already there, then we'll start," was the thought of the two.

In the end, there were respectable placements, including a place on the podium.

"We knew it was going to be a big challenge," the statement said.

On the one hand, the race format was something new for the couple from Deutenhausen, on the other hand, the two of them had only ridden a few meters in altitude during the winter for their conditions.

The "Epic Gran Canaria" covers a total of 190 kilometers, which is divided into two stages.

Three mountain classifications count for the overall ranking - the time that the individual athlete needs for the respective ascent is included in the result.

The distances on which the time is taken are 12.3 kilometers, 45 kilometers and 22 kilometers.

Gerhard and Tina Steinl at "Epic Gran Canaria" races

This year's prominent drivers included Davide Rebellin, Claudio Chiapucci (both Italy) and Haimar Zubeldia (Spain).

The Paralympics participants Michael Teuber and Kerstin Brachtendorf (she works as a mountain bike guide on Gran Canaria) were also at the starting line.

Tina and Gerhard Steinl (both driving for the “Orbea Germany” team) positioned themselves “at the back of the starting block”, after all, the first thing to do was to find your way around the race.

The pace was high right from the start, and the field was already wide apart on the first climb.

During the subsequent drive along the coast, the main thing was to "save grains before the second climb," says Tina Steinl.

According to the Deutenhausen native, she got through the first day well.

The crowning glory: Tina Steinl (right) on the podium after the stage race on Gran Canaria.

© Private

At the beginning of the second day, the athlete noticed that her legs “start cramping when she exerts too much effort”.

She had to reduce her speed a bit compared to the day before, after all she really wanted to reach the finish line.

Tina Steinl rode the third mountain classification “moderately, but evenly”.

From the finish line, the entire field of participants went together in a neutralized ride back to the starting point.

There, a big reception with groups of drummers and the like awaited the drivers.

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At the award ceremony, Tina Steinl was even allowed on the podium - in the W50 age group she took third place with a total time of 4:51:04 hours.

A "crowning finale" to her first stage race.

Gerhard Steinl had also delivered a remarkable performance.

With 4:16:12 hours he finished 25th in the M50 class, in the overall standings he was 151st out of 193 finishers.

The overall winner was Matti Helminen (2:47:46) – the ex-professional was born in Finland and is competing for Belgium.

Second was rebel.

The Romanian Manuela Muresan won the women's race (3:19:48).