Karl Platt: "Do everything exactly as we did 20 years ago"

BIKE: Mountain bike connoisseurs like to call you "Mr BIKE Transalp" because of your many participations. How often has the BIKE Transalp had the honour of welcoming you?

Karl Platt: I was there 17 times.

And how many times have you won?

Seven times. And countless times in second place. I missed out on the podium once and once I had to retire due to an injury.

When and how did you come to the BIKE Transalp?

That was in 2001 and my long-time friend and former BIKE colleague Christoph Listmann always said: "Karl, you absolutely have to ride the BIKE Transalp. You'll love it." Back then, I was still a pure cross-country rider and still inexperienced in marathons. But Christoph raved about it so much that I really wanted to give it a try. So I rode my first Transalp with him in 2001.

And were you immediately fascinated?

Oh yes.

Why? You've ridden countless mountain bike stage races all over the world. What makes the BIKE Transalp so special?

The BIKE Transalp is the mother of stage races. Crossing the whole of the Alps in one week - there is no other race like it. And the incredible panoramas and the unique community flair are simply unrivalled. And not forgetting the almost always perfect weather. It was often so good that we found a synonym for "imperial weather": We just called it "Transalp weather" from then on. There is simply nothing like the BIKE Transalp. Every year I looked forward to the race with unbelievable anticipation.

We hope you're still looking forward to the upcoming BIKE Transalp this year?

This year I'm looking forward to it in a completely different way. I haven't taken part in the BIKE Transalp for a few years now. Now I'm as excited again as I was in my first Transalp years. Sometimes it makes sense to take a break when you've been doing something for a long time. It reawakens the passion. And in the Masters category this year I can enjoy the whole thing even more and in a completely different way.

So you're taking a more relaxed approach to the BIKE Transalp as a Masters rider?

Yes, a little bit. I spat out the knife between my teeth. But when you have a number on your handlebars and back, you always ride as fast as possible.

So the goal is to win?

The aim is to have as much fun as possible and to ride as fast as your legs allow.

Everyone is always eagerly awaiting the announcement of the route. How do you like this year's route?

(clears his throat, grins) To be honest, I haven't had a closer look at the route yet. It goes from Lienz to Riva. I know that and that's the most important thing. I can already visualise the intermediate sections and I'm looking forward to seeing all the beautiful stage towns again.

So are you going to be surprised by the route?

Yes, we do. That's how we've always done it in other years. Of course, you look at the elevation profile and key points on the route map before the stage. But otherwise you just let it come to you. That's exactly what makes it so exciting. Not knowing what to expect. And always being impressed by the beauty of the Alps.

So there's no highlight this year that you're particularly looking forward to?

Oh yes. Even the first stage is a highlight for me. A few years ago, a stage started in Lienz. I remember that we had slightly less favourable weather and I had to push my bike through snow fields. (Grins) Let's see how it will be this time.

Hopefully it won't snow during the Transalp this year.

I hope so too. Because the Dolomites are absolutely breathtaking in the sunshine.

The second highlight?

Every Alpine panorama is impressive, but the Dolomites with their stark contrasts are always an unforgettable experience. But the entire BIKE Transalp is of course one huge highlight.

Do you have any tips for newcomers to the Transalp? What should you look out for on your first crossing of the Alps by bike so that it is one big highlight, even for the less experienced?

The most important thing is not to let yourself get nervous, either before or during the race. Of course you have to train, but you shouldn't start the week broken. You should have the courage to do less a week before the start. Keep calm during the race and ride at your own pace. There's no point in overpacing yourself on day 1 and riding into your shoe. This will drag you through the week like a rat's tail. The most important thing is to enjoy as much as possible and let yourself be stressed as little as possible, especially not by yourself.

One last question: You mentioned that you started your career as a pure cross-country rider and specialised in marathon races (also thanks to the BIKE Transalp). You were also successful in downhill racing. If you could go back to the start of your career, would you do everything the same again? Or would you continue to let off steam in the cross-country sector? Or become a downhill specialist? Or even switch to road racing?

No. I would do everything exactly as I did twenty years ago.

Otherwise you would never have experienced the BIKE Transalp so often.

(laughs) Exactly.

At Karl Platt's side at the BIKE Transalp 2022

From 3 to 9 July 2022, hundreds of cyclists will once again embark on an adventure BIKE Transalp. For all those who want to experience the complete BIKE Transalp 2022 package, there is an attractive special for all last-minute registrants. BIKE Transalp sponsor Maxxis will cover part of the entry fee for the first 25 new registrations.

If you register quickly enough, your starting place will cost just €799 per person instead of €999. To benefit from this advantage, all you have to do is enter the code MAXXIS-SpecialBT2022 when booking on www.datasport.com can be entered.

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