Topeak Ergon Racing Team (Germany) – Third Gold for Alban. The “Albanator” has done it once again. At the UCI Marathon World Championships in Singen/Germany, Alban Lakata takes home his third rainbow jersey on his 38th birthday. The over-joyous East Tyrolean beats title defender Tiago Ferreira in a dramatic sprint.

Team Topeak-Ergon came together in front of the Singen City Hall. Together, they celebrated, jumping around with their man of the hour. What a final, what an athlete. Alban Lakata had once again showed the championship steel that has defined him his entire career. An unbelievable ability to remain focused, remain composed, and then show the will to break boundaries.

It was Lakata and Ferreira who put their mark on the race through the volcanic landscape of the Hegau. The world champion and world champion runner-up from the previous year put the competition under pressure over and over again. However Lakata did not start well. After an unfortunate beginning phase, he found himself 30 seconds behind.

That’s why he decided, after getting back to the leading group, to ride "always ahead and aggressively". After about 70 of 98 kilometers, the first major split was made. Ferreira pushed the pace even harder and the group of nine riders flew apart. In addition to Lakata, only Daniel Geismayr and Mathieu van der Poel remained. However the highly touted Dutch star could not follow the powerful kick of Lakata and Co.

"When we realized we were only three, we worked together to secure the medal", Lakata said after the first wave of celebration. But he wasn’t content with just the podium. A truce was set until one kilometer before the finish line, then all three parties opened fire.

At the right moment, Alban Lakata wrung out every remaining once of energy from his body and sprinted on his Canyon Exceed with special worldcup design to the finish line. Ferreira had no chance of getting out in front of Lakata, nor did Geismayr. "Incredible, my third rainbow jersey, that’s a dream. I am so happy", as he let his feelings in front of the camera run free. "And today will be celebrated, you can believe me." The third world cup title, the seventh world cup medal overall and the 38th birthday just to cap it off.

11:25 minutes later, his disappointed team-mate rolled over the finish line. This is also part of the sport. Kristian Hynek spoke of his "certainly worst World Cup" and one of his worst races ever. "I’ve had a problem with my hip over the past two weeks and couldn’t get it under control. Too bad. But I’m happy for Alban. He’s an incredible machine..."