I had actually already written off participating in this year's Schwalbe TOUR Transalp after the series of empty promises and was fully focused on the cycling days in the Tyrolean Oberland . At the Kaunertal Glacier Emperor, I was able to promptly demonstrate my strong form with my first victory of the season, thus creating a good starting position for the cup standings with the Three-Country Giro in Nauders. But then everything changed quite spontaneously: a good friend couldn't start, so I spontaneously decided to replace him. So I competed in the professional criterium and then abruptly abandoned my plans in Nauders and traveled to Sonthofen.
I still had a lot to organize before the Transalp started on Sunday – certainly my equipment was one of the most important things, but despite my best efforts, I couldn't manage to rebuild the frame of my KTM bike, which had been replaced without any problems after being damaged. Therefore, I competed in the last few races with my old bike, and it definitely needed some work! Many thanks to Florian Mayer, Radsport Zacherl in Füssen, the Transalp tech support team, and several other people who helped me get a reasonably functional bike for the Transalp!
I still had to pack up and figure out how to get to Sonthofen, but thanks to the support of my family everything went smoothly and I was in Sonthofen in time to pick up the starting documents. There I was, with a large bag, a bike and a rucksack – ready for the “Transalp adventure”. The accreditation went quickly, but then it was time to “repack” – only the Transalp bag was transported…
After the pasta party and initial conversations with familiar riders and friends, it was already clear to me – everyone at the starting line was in top form – regardless of any alleged aches and pains or supposed setbacks they might have experienced beforehand – so it was bound to be a fun week. After the (for me) somewhat lackluster briefing, I set off on my bike ride to the hotel in the evening thunderstorm, having handed over the monstrous travel bag to my physiotherapist, Patrick Grassnig (also at the starting line with his father, girlfriend, and mother as his support team).
On the drive, or rather at our (very nice) accommodation at "Grüntenblick," I met my teammate Wolfgang, who offered me a ride – but I was already soaked, so it didn't matter anymore, and our accommodation was just around the corner. That evening, we tried to gather as much information as possible for the week, locate our accommodations, and Wolfgang gave me some tips on organizing the Transalp, the procedures after the finish, the pasta party, and the locations (which he knew from the previous year).
We got up early – a great breakfast awaited us and then we got on our bikes – briefly ride in and document the brilliant weather. Then to Sonthofen - a hustle and bustle in every nook and corner, nothing but "tweaked" freaks, but we also provide a great backdrop for less ambitious participants. Luckily enough time to get rid of my backpack and then start the first stage at 10:00 am. The first ascent was really fast, but it's best to read the first stage's own blog about it....
...after the razor-thin stage win on the 1st stage in Imst I was pretty exhausted, the race had been so fast as if the Transalp would only last a single day... But for the others that was probably normal, they were all in top form! In the evening, thanks to my mother's visit, I used to pack up the last forgotten things and equip Wolfgang with a Kirchmair set to at least ensure a visual appearance together. In the race, each of us tended to be on our own, which was definitely desired and agreed.
The second stage began as the first had ended - the first ramp into the Pitztal went at full throttle. Unfortunately, I was missing a few meters on the Pillerhöhe, so I couldn't get over it in the top group and then I had a leisurely day, let myself be passed from group to group until I finally found Wolfgang, but the one on the Flüelapass preferred wanted to go at his own pace. So I quickly looked for new companions and rolled comfortably to Davos, where a cozy afternoon and a great evening program awaited. More on this and on the course of the stage in the blog of the 2nd stage...
On the 3rd day I wanted to be among the front runners again and that worked out quite well, only at the end did the Belgians once again show what they were capable of and that victory in the Transalp could only go through them. I came close behind in Klaus Steinkeller, Hans-Peter Obwaller and Mathias Nothegger in Livigno. I enjoyed the afternoon in the sun, it was cool at high altitude and a perfect day ended with sunset. Unfortunately, the food wasn't that great and Wolfgang caught it overnight with diarrhea, etc. - the result was a cancellation of the start on the 4th day - which meant a hefty penalty time, which catapulted us from 20th place to 80th in the team rankings, which were irrelevant to us anyway.
I had big plans for the king's stage on the 4th day, I even drove the route via Gavia and Mortirolo in advance in order to be well prepared here. After the first "hill" - the Foscagno, I rolled away already on the descent - much too early as it turned out later, because the headwind in the valley and the 25 kilometers to the climb to the Gavia cost me too many grains to finish on the To be able to fully pull through Gavia. So the 3 minutes lead was quickly gone, first I tried to follow Klaus Steinkeller, who won the stage (with my actual tactics) single-handedly, but it didn't help, the leading group also came up and I was "only" 6th .To the finish in Aprica.
Nevertheless, I was satisfied, but also surprised at the hellish pace of the Belgians, who determined events as they pleased. Day 5 was relatively unspectacular except for a questionable section on the cycle path, so the numerous visits to Caldaro were much more important to me than achieving any miracles on the stage. Ludwig welcomed me at the finish and immediately sent me to the bathing lake, so I hung around with Timo and his girlfriend all afternoon collecting ideas for the 2016 team. After the pasta party we went on and went to bed late in the evening, which was the best day of the week for me.
From now on it got easier (at least that's what I thought), because the Italian racers caused quite a stir at the beginning of the 6th stage. Before the first ascent there was quite a bit of chaos, by then the day was almost over for me. But after my legs opened up, I caught up with the 1st chasing group, in front the usual 10 suspects with the 4 Belgians, HPO/Nothegger, Feyerer/Fingerlos and Rettner/Jörges. During the day I enjoyed the wonderful views in the Cembra Valley, in the afternoon a thunderstorm raged in Trento and devastated the finish line. But everything went smoothly and in the evening I chatted with Peter Lintner, who sent me great photos of the stage.
On the last day I tried to stay ahead again, but already on the first climb things went so fast that "only" the 10-man lead remained. I rode in the lead up to the long climb to Lago di Cei, but then it was finally “vacation” for me. So "easily" tormented up this lousy ramp, pushed and pulled people at the top and then braked down very easily to Arco ("driving" you can't call the stuttering on the descent from Monte Velo) - maybe as a tip for the route in 2016 : the final stage could be toned down a bit...
At the bottom I finally waited for Wolfgang and enjoyed crossing the finish line with him. But the ecstasy in Arco came to an abrupt end for me, as I still had to go to Bozen at least in order to be there in time for the Maratona Dolomites the following day, to support my team riders and finally experience this mega event. So 91 became 201 kilometers, but thanks to the Ora, at least that went by relatively quickly. Well looked after by my relatives, I fell into a deep sleep a little later - tomorrow started extremely early...
Although I was already on my bike at 6:00 a.m., I didn't make it through the Gardena Valley to the Gardena Pass in time to be able to help Monika Dietl at the Maratona d'les Dolomites. So I just let myself be pulled along by the mass of cyclists and rolled the rest of the Sellaronda and then comfortably up the Falzarego - I preferred to save myself the steep Giau. So I rolled down to Cortina to finally find one of my team riders. Unfortunately, I was too late here too, so back to the finish line, where Roland was already waiting. I chatted comfortably with him and then rolled to Brixen - another good 200 kilometers - but then continued by car and after 8 stages I ended my personal Transalp in both directions with a great dinner.
This week will certainly be a bit more relaxed, and I hope the Transalp gives me a good boost in form. I can definitely use that for the upcoming races; the Ötztaler and the other autumn highlights aren't that far away. I'm most looking forward to the training camp in the Arlberg region and to starting the Haute Route Pyrenees , which Mavic made possible for me. That's also my personal highlight of the 2016 season.