With the opening of registration for the fifth edition, TRANSPYR presents us with a new format. Keeping the same demanding level and attractive route, on its fifth anniversary the organisation incorporates a competitive incentive for greater personal encouragement, and moves on to 7 stages in length. This should be more feasible within the time constraints for most amateur bike racers, yet just as challenging as previous editions. The Crocodile Trophy and Mongolia Bike Challenge have made similar changes with great success – and Transalp is also changing to seven stages for 2014.
Transpyr was originally developed to be a personal challenge – but when you put bike riders together with numbers on the inevitable happens. With new categories and electronic timing, the organisers are strengthening their mission: to cross the Pyrenees from sea to sea enjoying the roads and trails with the utmost respect for the landscape and the cultures.
Transpyr gathers participants from all continents due to its unique personality that is explained by the spectacular and crafted itinerary joining Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean along the Pyrenees. 2014 features two new stage towns: the legendary Roncesvalles and the beautiful Hondarribia. This city will be the exciting end of a journey towards the sea that combines technical obstacles and long stages with the competitive motivation of one of the most attractive bike stage races.
Transpyr is a classic point to point, pairs or threes stage race. Photo: Marc Roca
Last year’s winners, Pau Zamora and Joan Llordella, from the BUFF © team established a time of 39 hours and 55 minutes, a record to beat in this edition, starting in Roses on June 29th and ending on July 5th in Hondarribia.
Pau Zamora raced hard at Transpyr, and hard in the Mongolia Bike Challenge, Photo ©: Erik Peterson
This year, for the second time, Transpyr Road will be the traveling companion throughout the different stages. Lovers of fine wheels will be able to share experiences across the Pyrenees while turning unknown roads, challenging ports and specially timed sections to test the most competitive riders.