Registration for the 18th Craft BIKE Transalp powered by Sigma, is opening on December 9th, and race organisers have just announced the route for 2015. In 2015, the routing provides five new stage towns, a huge change compared to recent years. Besides the town of Ruhpolding, which will host the start of the race on July 19th, also Saalfelden Leogang, Mittersill and Sillian in Austria as well as Levico Terme in Italy are part of the course design for the very first time.
“The new stage towns offer some new cultural impressions and, even more important, some brand new stage options,” said Marc Schneider, Race Director of the mountain bike classic.
Being responsible for the course set-up Schneider is coming up with six stages next year which haven’t been raced in Transalp history before. Only leg five from Alleghe to San Martino di Castrozza was part of the world’s most famous mountain bike stage race back in 2011 and 2013. Having raced this stage in 2013, it’s good to hear that it’s included. This is a brilliant day of racing through the Dolomites, with impressive views and challenging trails from start to finish.
The trails above Alleghe are some of the best in the area.
But it’s important for a race like Transalp to make sure it keeps up to date. A lot of riders yearn for the classics, but more often we desire change. The shape of mountain bike stage racing is changing. The growing popularity of shorter stages with more technical terrain has obvious benefits – but of course it needs to be possible within the region the races are held.
Schneider is proud that Transalp reinvents itself each year: “Even those participants with Transalp history will experience new stages, including some pretty exciting ones.”
The course through the freeride area of Saalfelden Leogang, the massive crossing of the Alpine Divide at the Felbertauern, the unique stage through the Dolomites from Sillian to Alleghe as well as the final stretch to Lake Garda are all highlights of the 18th Transalp edition.
From July 19th thru 25th, the maximum of 600 teams of two have to tackle 624.23 km and 19,286 metres in elevation gain from Ruhpolding via Saalfelden Leogang, Mittersill, Sillian, Alleghe, San Martino di Castrozza and Levico Terme to Riva del Garda.
“The 2015 Transalp is very exciting and rich in variety and offers a route everyone can master who has the right balance of fitness and riding skills. In addition, the Transalp impresses with a perfect mix of demanding climbs and lots of riding fun,” Schneider sums up.
Mountain bike fans who are keen to become a part of the Transalp myth should reserve December 9th. At 12 PM CET, the official registration will kick off on online-registration.de.
For further information about the race visit bike-transalp.de.