Last night, the route plan for the 20th anniversary Transalp was announced. One of the original marathon stage races, Transalp traces a route across the Alps that changes a little each year, sometimes linking familiar towns and passes, but more recently, venturing to towns and valleys that are new to the race.
Transalp is no walk in the park – the trails are getting harder each year. © Markus Greber
This race has influenced mountain bike marathon racing like no other over the past two decades. The anniversary edition of the popular mountain bike stage race for teams of two will be staged from July 16 till 22, 2017, and will will lead over some 550 km and 18,000 metres of climbing from Mayrhofen, Austria across the main chain of the Alps to Riva del Garda, Italy – the tradition-rich town at the shores of Lake Garda, which will host the finish for the 17th time.
Riva del Garda is one of the best places to finish a stage race. Photo: Peter Musch.
After things have kicked off in Austria, the second time in history since 2016, the route partly follows the one of the classic’s inaugural race via Brixen, St. Vigil, St. Christina, Kaltern, Trento and Lavarone – the only new stage town this year and the 54th in history of the race – to Riva del Garda, with St. Vigil one of two stage towns which have been part of the 1998 route.
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Also part of it is the Pfitscherjoch, one of the most famous Transalp passes, which racers will tackle on the first stage which also runs through Sterzing before concluding in Brixen. Other highlights of the 2017 route design are the Plose, smooth trails in the heart of the Dolomites or parts of the well-known Sellaronda Hero track or the 100 KM DEI FORTI, a marathon race which trails old military paths dating back to World War I.
The Transap route often takes in historic passes. And 2017 is no different. (c) Robert Niedring/Craft BIKE Transalp
“The 2017 route merits a notable anniversary as almost all stage towns have been part of the Transalp before. Already in the 20th year of Transalp racing, we were once again able to find new paths which make it fun: it will be mountain biking at its best on the most exciting singletrack of the Alps,” explains Race Director Marc Schneider.
“The 2017 Transalp is a modern interpretation of crossing the Alps. What remains the same are the panoramic views in the world’s most beautiful mountain range and the mix of cultures between South Tyrol and the Trentino region. I’m looking forward to putting together the best route over the course of the next week,” says Race Director Marc Schneider who is responsible for the route design for the sixth consecutive time now.
There’s nothing like starting and finishing in an alpine town each day.
2017 Transalp stage towns
Stage 1 (July 16): Mayrhofen – Brixen
Stage 2 (July 17): Brixen – St. Vigil
Stage 3 (July 18): St. Vigil – St. Christina
Stage 4 (July 19): St. Christina – Kaltern
Stage 5 (July 20): Kaltern – Trento
Stage 6 (July 21): Trento – Lavarone
Stage 7 (July 22): Lavarone – Riva del Garda
We will have full stage details as they are made available. If you want further event details – head to the Transalp website.