94 kilometres and 2,540 vertical metres lay between Kaltern and San Martino di Castrozza on the 5th stage of the MAXXIS BIKE Transalp 2022. It was a stage full of contrasts today. From the midsummer warmth of Kaltern with its apple orchards and vineyards, the route climbed back up into cooler temperatures and the rugged mountains of the Dolomites. Apparently, Peter wanted to intensify this atmosphere even more with the thick cloud cover. However, the fifth day not only offered visual attractions, but also a lot of pedalling. Relaxed rolling was hardly possible today.
Leaving aside the short intermediate descent into Val di Fiemme, the fifth stage consisted of a single, long climb of almost 70 kilometres. Around 2500 metres in altitude were climbed here. Nevertheless, due to the length of the climb, there were never any really steep sections today. This allowed the riders to enjoy a little more of the scenery, as the landscape here is particularly attractive.
Those who lifted their eyes from the trail could now, for example, enjoy the last unobstructed view over the wide Adige Valley and South Tyrol's south or the lush forests of Paneveggio with their special spruce trees, whose wood is used to make violins. Or, in Val Venegia, the view of the large amphitheatre in which the northern flank of the Pale di San Martino rises above a basin.
As the path wound around the Cima Vezzena and led to the Passo Rolle, our eyes must have suffered from sensory overload. From there, it wasn't far to San Martino di Castrozza. After a trail of the finest kind, the destination was finally reached.
Top teams regroup
Michael Wohlgemuth and Philip Handl from Team Texpa Simplon/MC Racing by Casa continued their highly motivated race to catch up today. Their tactics of the previous days - keeping calm and giving everything - have now borne fruit on the fifth stage. They pulled out a lead of more than two minutes over the KMC team of Teus Ruijter and Tim Smeenge and were thus able to take second place in the overall standings of the men's team category. Team 7C-ECONOMY-WILIER remains unbeaten, albeit today with a lead of just 2 seconds over the two riders from Team Texpa Simplon/MC Racing by Casa.
There has also been an exciting race to catch up in the women's team classification in recent days. And so on day 5 of the MAXXIS BIKE Transalp 2022 there was also a change in the women's overall standings. After four days in the leader's jersey, Irina Krenn and Martina Deubler from Team Bikeworld Bad Goisern/Salzkammergut had to hand over the coveted piece of clothing to Lorenza Menapace Evelyn Sulzer from Team Val di Sole Bike Land after the fifth stage.
The fastest of the day
Men's teams:
- Carlos Arroyo Herrera and Luis Sanchez Mejia (7C-ECONOMY-WILIER) | Time: 3:51.26,4h
- Michael Wohlgemuth and Philip Handl (Texpa Simplon/ MC Racing by Casa) | Time: 3:51.28.7h
- Teus Ruijter and Tim Smeenge (KMC) | Time: 3:53.58,0h
Women's teams:
- Lorenza Menapace and Evelyn Sulzer (Team Val di Sole Bike Land) | Time: 4:48.30,8h
- Irina Krenn and Martina Deubler (Bikeworld Bad Goisern / Salzkammergut) | Time: 5:01.13,9h
- Theresa Gassner and Lea Kremsreiter (SRT Protective Factoryteam Women) | Time: 5:18.46,1h
Mixed teams:
- Spela Skrajnar and Iztok Dogsa (GANESHA TEAM) | Time: 4:37.51,9h
- Böttger and Andrea Böttger (r2-bike.com MTN CREW) | Time: 4:42.09,0h
- Helge Nesse and Beate Nesse (Team Nesse) | Time: 4:44.43,1h
Master teams:
- Jonathan Ramirez Carballo and Dax Arce Jaikel (7C-WILIER) | Time: 4:03.04,3h
- Michael Anthes and Karl Platt (BULLS) | Time: 4:08.19,3h
- Francesco Grandelis and Michele Purlan Festini (Semplicemente Inseguendo un Sogno) | Time: 4:35.34,1h
The sixth stage is already scheduled for tomorrow - the The first royal stage of the MAXXIS BIKE Transalp 2022 leads the participants from San Martino di Castrozza to Lavarone. 117 kilometres and 3,120 metres of altitude difference have to be mastered.
Isotonic refreshments were provided by the drinks sponsor Bitburger with a delicious 0.0%.
All information about the race and the detailed route description including elevation profiles can be found at https://bike-transalp.de/
