08.06.2006: Race report from Multivan Merida Biking Team:

Sea Otter Classic: Ralph Näf beats the clock

At Sea Otter Classic Swiss Ralph Näf wins the second stage, a two-mile time trial. Näf covered the course 1.6 seconds faster than Jean-Christophe Peraud, winner of yesterday's mountain cross. The Sea Otter Classic is one of the most prestigious mountainbike races on the world. After two of four stages Ralph Näf is placed second behind Frenchman Jean-Christophe Peraud.

In the womens race American Mary Mcconneloug wins short before overall leader Gunn-Rita Dahle and with a big gap on the Canadian Alison Sydor.

Tomorrows third stage will be held as a «shortrace» which takes 20 minutes on a short and spectacular course. Ralph Näf is known to be a specialist for races like that.


Results Time Trial, Sea Otter Classic, Monterey (USA), Men:
1. Ralph Näf (Sui), Multivan Merida Biking Team
2. Jean Christophe Peraud (Fra), Orbea
3. Sam Schultz (USA)
4. Geoff Kabush (CAN), Maxxis
5. Liam Killeen (USA), Specialized
6. José Hermida (Esp), Multivan Merida Biking Team

11. Karl Platt (Ger), Rocky Mountain
18. Christoph Sauser (Sui), Specialized
19. Thomas Frischknecht (Sui), Swisspower
21. Alban Lakata (Aut), Sepcialized
27. Michi Weiss (Aut), SRM


Results Mountaincross, Sea Otter Classic Monterey (USA), Women:
1. Mary Mcconneloug (USA), Seven
2. Gunn-Rita Dahle (Nor), Multivan Merida Biking Team
3. Alison Sydor (Can), Rocky Mountain/Business Objects
4. Wendy Simms (Can), Velo Belly Kona
5. Katerina Nash (USA), Luna Chicks

9. Sabine Spitz (Ger), Specialized
23. Pia Sunsted (Fin), Rocky Mountain/Business Objects
47. Nathalie Schneitter (Sui), Rocky Mountain