Alban “Albanator” Lakata:
Silver medal MTB Marathon World Championships, European Champion Marathon 2008, Austrian Champion Marathon 2008 and 2009
Alban is one of the strongest men within European Mountain Biking Marathon scene. It wasn’t until he was 21 though that he developed his passion for the sport, but within just a few years he took the national title in Austria and began competing internationally. In 2008 his European Champion’s title and his top placed ranking in the UCI World Cup overall classification coupled
with his World Cup win in Mt. St. Anne in 2009 marked the highlights of his career. For Team Topeak Ergon the ultimate test of equipment took place in July, with Alban riding the hardest mountain bike race in the World, the TransAlp Challenge. The eight stages through the alps are extremely demanding on both men and machine.
Proven: GX1 Leichtbau
Leichtbau – built for racing. The GX1 Leichtbau is the ultimate grip, offering a slim body and a lightweight construction. The lightweight clamp is aerospace grade aluminium.
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Do you think that it is a disadvantage that you started mountain biking relatively late (2000)?
Not really. Before I got into mountain biking I was already someone who did a lot of sport (volleyball, athletics, swimming) and was very competitive. That foundation already existed. It is only my finesse on the bike that is perhaps suffers through my late arrival to the sport.
As an Austrian, you were brought up in the mountains. Does this mean that the TransAlp Challenge is easier for you?
Coming from the Tirol area of Austria, it is true that I am used to the mountains. I am a good climber as a result, but it is still a challenge to take on the mountains eight days in a row.
Dave Wiens, your partner at the TransAlp thinks that you are one of the strongest riders there. What do you think?
That might be true. My form this year is very good.
You joined Team Topeak Ergon just this year. What made you make the move?
I wanted to have more support at races, and that is something that Topeak Ergon offered me. The bike itself is also a step up. On top of this, there is a wealth of experience to learn from my team mates (Irina Kalentieva, Wolfram Kurschat, Dave Wiens).
How do Ergon grips help you in races?
When out of the saddle, they just feel a whole lot more secure.
