Joy, relief, pride, but also melancholy accompanied the participants today as they waited eagerly for the starting signal one last time on the sunny morning. The Final stage of the MAXXIS BIKE Transalp 2022 led over 79 kilometres and with 2,120 metres of ascent from Lavarona to Riva del Garda and thus represented another challenging BIKE Transalp stage.
At Lake Garda, the finishers were visibly delighted. The last stage not only led to the longed-for finish, but also through a piece of history. 100 years ago, the First World War raged over the Folgaria, Luserna and Lavarone plateau. Today's route also led past these fortresses. From Carbonare to Serrada, 1,000 metres in altitude were already covered on the military paths. The reward was the marvellous panoramic views from the hilltops. The military history tour ended with a technically demanding trail down to Serrada. This was followed by a steep descent on trails, forest paths, cart tracks and roads down to the Adige Valley. This downhill covered 1,000 metres in no time at all.
Finally, a few kilometres followed on the cycle path to Rovereto. This is where the climb up to the top of the pass on Monte Faé began, with a 17% ramp at the end that demanded maximum effort. In Nomesino, the route now crossed the Val di Gresta and led to the Maso Naranch, where the Naranch Trail also started: a final delicacy of this MAXXIS BIKE Transalp. On to the Marmitte dei Giganti, a gravel track finally led to Arco. The route then continued on flat roads to Riva del Garda, where the finishing arch awaited all the finishers.
Defect ends winning streak
The fastest riders really got down to business today. On the last day, the cards were reshuffled - especially because the defect witch got mixed up in the starting field on the last day. After six victories in a row, the 7C-ECONOMY-WILIER team seemed invincible. On the last day, however, the two riders' winning streak was broken - partly due to their defect. More than 15 minutes behind today's winners Teus Ruijter and Tim Smeenge from Team KMC, Carlos Arroyo Herrera and Luis Sanchez Mejia crossed the finish line in an unusual fourth place.
Second-placed Michael Wohlgemuth and Philip Handl from Team Texpa Simplon/MC Racing by Casa also crossed the finish line today more than 19 minutes behind the winners and therefore had to surrender their second place in the overall standings, which they had taken over in the previous days with a rapid chase, to Team KMC on the final day. "I had a flat tyre, which we were able to fix quickly," reported Handl. "Then I punctured my rim, which caused us to lose a lot of time. I then got a spare wheel from the helpers of the leading masters team. Without this help, we certainly wouldn't have made it to the finish yet," Handl continued gratefully. However, the two young riders were not the least bit frustrated. Wohlgemuth was beaming: "It was a great race. We are very happy with 3rd place. And the KMC team rode incredibly well today."
Another jersey swap at the Masters
There was still a leader jersey swap in the masters teams after the last stage. After their stage win yesterday, the BULLS team of Michael Anthes and Karl Platt started the race just 1:18 minutes behind the leading team in the overall standings. They had already emphasised this yesterday and wanted to give their all today to perhaps take home the overall victory after all. They didn't promise too much. They were able to gain more than five minutes on the 7C-WILIER team today and were therefore able to take home the blue leader's jersey after the seventh stage. It got really exciting once again, with both teams struggling with defects. "Our nerves were on edge today. We thought we hadn't made it," reported Platt at the finish. "I pulled out my mobile phone after the timekeeping and immediately looked to see if we had the jersey." The joy was naturally great when the two BULLS riders had the confirmation in black and white.
The fastest of the day
Men's teams:
- Teus Ruijter and Tim Smeenge (KMC) | Time: 2:51.40,8h
- Joep van den Eijnden and Juul van Loon (ThijsHendriks-Bikesight Coaching) | Time: 3:03.42,2h
- Philipp Bertsch and Michael Stieglbauer (SRT Protective Factoryteam) | Time: 3:04.50,2h
Women's teams:
- Irina Krenn and Martina Deubler (Bikeworld Bad Goisern / Salzkammergut) | Time: 3:48.44,8h
- Lorenza Menapace and Evelyn Sulzer (Team Val di Sole Bike Land) | Time: 3:57.03,4h
- Theresa Gassner and Lea Kremsreiter (SRT Protective Factoryteam Women) | Time: 4:04.45,4h
Mixed teams:
- Helge Nesse and Beate Nesse (Team Nesse) | Time: 3:28.15,2h
- Chiara Mandelli and Fabio Belotti (Team Spacebikes) | Time: 3:42.02,3h
- Marc Böttger and Andrea Böttger (r2-bike.com MTN CREW) | Time: 3:42.51,2h
Master teams:
- Michael Anthes and Karl Platt (BULLS) | Time: 3:09.28,4h
- Jonathan Ramirez Carballo and Dax Arce Jaikel (7C-WILIER) | Time: 3:14.33,5h
- Francesco Grandelis and Michele Purlan Festini (Semplicemente Inseguendo un Sogno) | Time: 3:27.47,6h
Winner of the MAXXIS BIKE Transalp 2022
Men's team:
Carlos Arroyo Herrera & Luis Sanchez Mejia
(7C-ECONOMY-WILIER)
Team Ladies:
Lorenza Menapace & Evelyn Sulzer
(Team Val di Sole Bike Land)
Team Mixed:
Helge Nesse & Beate Nesse
(Team Nesse)
Team Masters:
Michael Anthes and Karl Platt
(Team BULLS)
The MAXXIS BIKE Transalp 2022 was a complete success. The great atmosphere in Riva del Garda was proof of this. More than 500 finishers celebrated their strong performance and rounded off a week of Transalp adventures together. And some of them are certainly already looking forward to the next BIKE Transalp. The date has already been set: the 25th edition of the seven-day mountain bike race across the Alps will take place from 9 to 15 July 2023. The beverage sponsor provided isotonic refreshment during the Transalp Bitburger with a tasty 0.0%. All information about the race and the detailed route description including elevation profiles can be found at: https://bike-transalp.de/
