2018 BIKE Transalp – Over 500km and 18,000m of Climbing
Sun 10th Dec, 2017 @ 9:30 pm
Get your big legs out and prepare for some seriously grueling mountain bike riding!
One week prior to the official start of the registration for the 2018 event on online-registration.de, Race Organisers have revealed the route for next year’s BIKE Transalp powered by Sigma.
The 21st edition of the world’s premier mountain bike stage race for teams of two kicks of in Imst, Austria on July 15 and finishes in Arco, Italy seven days later on July 21.
In total, the participants of this prestigious classic – including international pros as well as hundredths of amateurs alike – will have to pedal a total of 503.54 kilometres and master 18,004 metres of climbing while crossing the main ridge of the Alps.
During the one week trip through the Massive Central the field will stop in Nauders, Livigno, Bormio, Ponte di Legno, Val di Sole as well as Valle del Chiese.
And like in the previous years, Race Organisers have again put together a package of famous passages and brand new single tracks which has no equal.
“The route of the 21st edition is a challenge, but also an extravagant and thrilling mix which you don’t get elsewhere,” says Race Director Marc Schneider.
After things have kicked off with new trails at Nauder’s Bergkastel and the beautiful single track through the Valmora featured on the queen’s stage to Livigno, the scenic and technical delectation continues on the next days.
Besides the freeride trails at Carosello 3000 the well-known Alta Via Camuna, an isolated mountain path high above the alpine tree line leading to Passo Tonale during the stage to Val di Sole, is also one of the 2018 highlights.
Above that, Schneider explains that there are also “some more secret nature tracks to be ridden during the stage into the Chiese Valley or in the valley of di Ledro which we will pass on the final day. In addition, the Via Claudia in the Inn Valley which racers will tackle on the opening day is also worth mentioning.”
Besides that, the route offers even more scenic-wise: “The panorama views you get at Ortler, Adamello Alps or Brenta are a class of their own.”
While the 21st ever race edition therefore offers once again a route which is a credit to the Transalp myth, participants can look forward to a new Deluxe Bike Support which can be booked additionally.
The return transfer to the start or accommodation in the Transalp camp are also available as add-ons. The entry fee per person is € 899, U23 riders have to pay € 699.
Registration to open in seven days
The online registration for the 21st BIKE Transalp powered by Sigma kicks off December 12, 2017, at 12 PM CET on online-registration.de.
The 2018 route at a glance
Participants of the 2018 BIKE Transalp powered by Sigma will pedal a total of 503.54 km from Imst to Lake Garda while also mastering 18,004 metres of climbing.
Stage 1: Imst – Nauders; 88.90 km; 2,942m
Stage 2: Nauders – Livigno: 101.82 km; 3,512m
Stage 3: Livigno – Bormio: 67.98 km; 2,230m
Stage 4: Bormio – Ponte di Legno: 57.66 km; 2,393m
Stage 5: Ponte di Legno – Val di Sole: 49.66 km; 1,967m
Stage 6: Val di Sole – Valle del Chiese: 78.96 km; 2,772m
Stage 7: Valle del Chiese – Arco: 58.56 km; 2,179m
