With the 2014 Marathon and Stage Racing year well underway, Subaru-MarathonMTB.com racers Naomi Hansen and Stuart Spies have confirmed their partnership for the Craft Bike Transalp, from 20-26th July, one of the most prestigious mountain bike Stage Races in the world. In 2014 the race is 7 days long, starting in Oberammagau, Germany, and racing to Riva del Garda, Italy.
Naomi Hansen summits the Idjoch in 2012
This is not the first Transalp for either racer. Spies, a native South African, has raced the Transalp on three previous occasions, and as recently as 2013 – which was perhaps his most competitive year racing with friend Matt Bridge in the Men’s category. Hansen is no stranger to MTB Stage Racing, with podium performances in the ABSA Cape Epic, Crocodile Trophy, Langkawi International MTB Challenge and Ingkerreke Commercial MTB Enduro. Plus, she has raced the Transalp in the Mixed category in 2012, and understand the demands it places on the body, mind and friendship.
2013 had Matt Bridge race with Stu Spies at the Craft Bike Transalp
“I love Transalp, the immense organisation is only rivalled by the scenery. I’m usually stuck in my own tunnel vision, but it’s nice to know its there! I can’t wait to have a crack as a mixed team, Naomi has proven credentials, now its time for me to step up to the plate” said Spies.
Both racers are familiar with the intricacies of maintaining a working relationship during a time when the body and brain are bombarded by the intensity of racing, and the pressure involved with backing up day after day. And in this case, bringing the story of the race to MarathonMTB.com daily.
“Transalp is an amazing experience and I am infinitely excited and grateful for the opportunity to team up with Stu Spies in July to race from Germany to Italy over 7 days,” Hansen stated, who missed the 2012 experience in 2013, and is excited to return to Europe this year.
Transalp – certainly the ultimate way to experience the European Alps.
Training for a multi-day race is a challenge itself, but for this Mixed pairing the difficulties are greater – with Hansen in Noosa, Australia, and Spies in London, England. While the two ended up surviving the Dolomiti Superbike together in 2012, racing for 7 days straight in a successful partnership will be a great challenge for the two veteran athletes.
Stay tuned for tales of their training and preparation as the year continues. Registration is open for the Transalp, so if you’ve ever thought about it, how about you grab a mate and head over for the best way for a cyclist to experience the European Alps.