Transalp Day 4: Long and varied

Day 4 of the Transalp was a challenging stage with 109 kilometres and 3,120 metres of elevation gain. For the fastest riders, this was no reason to give up. Section from St. Vigil to Kaltern more cautiously. Team 7C-ECONOMY-WILIER continues to dominate the lead in the men's teams, but the Texpa Simplon/MC Racing by Casa team is keeping the tension at the highest level with their race to catch up with the second-placed KMC team.

A long and varied trip awaited the participants of the MAXXIS BIKE Transalp 2022 on the programme. The fourth stage led from the heart of the Dolomites into the vineyards around Lake Kaltern. The scenery today was a mecca for the senses, but also a strain on the muscles: a whopping 3,120 metres in altitude had to be covered over 109 kilometres.

The Würzjoch was the biggest mountain right at the start, meaning that after just 20 kilometres, an impressive 1,400 metres in altitude had already been added to the rider's bill. However, the sensational view of the Peitlerkofel and the Aferer Geisler mountains made up for this effort. A long, undulating valley descent through the Villnöss Valley led the athletes 1,300 metres downhill over 30 undulating kilometres, but with an additional 500 metres of altitude difference, it couldn't really be called a descent.

But there was always plenty of variety: from wide forest paths to technically tricky trails, from rapid descents to short, crisp uphill ramps: everything was there today. After a few more panoramic kilometres on the eastern slopes of the Eisack Valley to the valley floor in Waidbruck, there was a contrasting change of scenery!

Relaxed rolling before the 2nd time measurement

This was followed by a more relaxed roll along the cycle path along the river to Bolzano. Here the race was neutralised for everyone's safety. It was not until the southern edge of the South Tyrolean capital that the leg muscles had to be activated again. The clock began to count down again on the ride through vineyards and small hamlets, as well as through the deep Montiggl forest, which involved another 650 metres in altitude. Lake Kaltern was always within reach, which made for additional mental effort on the final climbs.

The leading position in the men's teams remains unchallenged. However, there is an exciting duel for 2nd and 3rd place. Michael Wohlgemuth and Philip Handl from the Texpa Simplon/MC Racing by Casa team had already caught up with the second-placed KMC team yesterday. In their race to catch up, they moved up another seven minutes on the fourth day of the Transalp, leaving them just one and a half minutes off 2nd place in the overall standings.

"We lost a lot of time on the first day because I was struggling with the heat," reveals Wohlgemuth. "But we kept our cool," continues his team partner Handl. "We looked at the following stages and knew that we shouldn't waste too much energy at the start." This tactic seems to have paid off, as the two athletes were also able to win the final sprint classification. Over the last two days, their motivation has naturally increased enormously.

The fastest of the day

Men's teams:

1. Carlos Arroyo Herrera and Luis Sanchez Mejia (7C-ECONOMY-WILIER) | Time: 2:45.20,9h
2. Michael Wohlgemuth and Philip Handl (Texpa Simplon/ MC Racing by Casa) | Time: 2:48.50,8h
3. Teus Ruijter and Tim Smeenge (KMC) | Time: 2:55.23,5h

Women's teams:

1. Lorenza Menapace and Evelyn Sulzer (Team Val di Sole Bike Land) | Time: 3:48.48,4h
2. Irina Krenn and Martina Deubler (Bikeworld Bad Goisern / Salzkammergut) | Time: 3:51.58,9h
3. Theresa Gassner and Lea Kremsreiter (SRT Protective Factoryteam Women) | Time: 3:59.44.3h

Mixed teams:

1. Böttger and Andrea Böttger (r2-bike.com MTN CREW) | Time: 3:38.14,9h
2. Helge Nesse and Beate Nesse (Team Nesse) | Time: 3:38.37,4h
3. Chiara Mandelli and Fabio Belotti (Team Spacebikes) | Time: 3:41.24,3h

Master teams:

1. Michael Anthes and Karl Platt (BULLS) | Time: 3:00.51,7h
2. Jonathan Ramirez Carballo and Dax Arce Jaikel (7C-WILIER) | Time: 3:04.41,5h
3. Francesco Grandelis and Michele Purlan Festini (Semplicemente Inseguendo un Sogno) | Time: 3:18.15,1h

The Stage 5 leads from Kaltern to San Martino di Castrozza. The route covers 94 kilometres and 2,540 metres in altitude. Isotonic refreshment is provided by the drinks sponsor Bitburger with a tasty 0.0%. All information about the race and a detailed route description including elevation profiles can be found at https://bike-transalp.de/