If you want to create something new, you have to take unusual paths. And that answers the most frequently asked question "Why Lienz?". Course director Marc Schneider chose the starting point in East Tyrolto the racing teams of the Maxxis BIKE Transalp to present a completely new backdrop for once. But also because trails coming from this direction can be interwoven that previously had to be left out.
One of these new descents is the Alban Lakata Trail in Lienz, for example. Or the hairpin bends on the Kronplatz, just before St. Vigil. Speaking of bends: all in all, the BIKE Transalp Route 2022 a great, eventful S into the Eastern Alps. From the Lienz Dolomites and the Carnic main ridge, the route turns past the Sexten Dolomites towards St. Vigil. Then the royal stage with almost 110 kilometres and 3090 metres in altitude changes to the western side of the Brenner motorway to Lake Kaltern and from there back to the Dolomites the next day. The stunningly beautiful Val Venegia and the Lago di Calaita with its super trail are well worth the effort. After the Val Sugana and the Lavarone bike park, the last day takes you over the Dosso del Sommo and at the end a section of the Naranch trail down to the finish in Riva del Garda.
More scenery and riding fun is almost impossible. But is a Transalp without crossing the main ridge a Transalp at all? Route manager Marc Schneider has an answer to this question too: "After these seven stages with a whopping 566 kilometres and 18378 metres of altitude, no one will miss the main ridge. That's a promise!"
Stage 1: from Lienz to Sillian
- 64.9 kilometres
- 3076 metres altitude
- Journey time 6-7 hours
- Condition 5/5
- Driving technique 3/5
- Panorama 5/5
The first stage of the BIKE Transalp 2022 starts with a visit to the bike park in Lienz. This is very good news for trail lovers and even better news for all those who want to ride this route in a relaxed manner outside of the race. The latter could simply take the lift to the Sternalm and take 825 metres of ascent off this stage. It will still be warm afterwards, because the downhill combination of the Peter Sagan Trail and the much rougher Alban Lakata Line demands a spirited physical effort. Especially if you choose the black Jungle variant with sporty kickers and Northshore elements.
Once at the bottom, the route now follows a rooty forest path to Leisach, where the Pustertal valley soon closes in and the ruins of the Lienzer Klause await at the narrowest point. The route leads through the middle of this old 13th century defence structure, leaving the Lienz catchment area. Now the route turns with the sun to the south-west, climbs 400 metres up the mountainside and then follows the sawtooth profile of the Pustertaler Höhenstraße. The constant ups and downs sap your strength, but the view of the Lienz Dolomites and the fun trail junctions distract you from the pain. On this panoramic balcony high above the Drau, the route continues for 14 kilometres to Andras. It's best to take the momentum of the descent to Abfaltersbach with you here, as the longest climb of the day then stretches up from the banks of the Drau. It starts off quite steeply for 400 metres on a tarmac valley road past the rustic Fronstadl, then zigzags up to the high plateau of the Fronstadler Alm on a pleasantly ascending gravel road. At an altitude of 2033 metres, the last metre of ascent for today is in your legs, and the view from up here is stunning. While the racers let the next 1000 metres of descent rattle through their speedometers on fast gravel bends, leisure cyclists are better off taking a long rest around the mountain flank to the Tessenberger Alm mountain hut. Here, a panorama opens up to the Tyrolean snack board, stretching over the Carnic main ridge far into the Gailtal valley and southwards into the Sexten Dolomites with the famous Three Peaks. At the end of the descent, you roll through the village streets of Tessenberg and Heinfels and follow the gravel path along the Drau to Sillian, the second stage of this year's Transalp route.
"The BIKE Transalp has already passed through Lienz in 2015. But we've never had the town as a starting point. In the meantime, a lot has happened here in terms of single trails. That's why this first pure East Tyrol stage is a real highlight for me." Marc Schneider, route manager of the BIKE Transalp
Registration
The 24th BIKE Transalp will take place from 3-9 July 2022 and costs the basic package including race management, luggage and bike service, stage catering, medical care and much more. 999 euros per person (U23 riders 749 euros). Drinks sponsor Bitburger will provide isotonic refreshment with a tasty 0.0%. Info and registration: www.bike-transalp.de
Information on retracing the 1st Transalp stage
The precinct
Where the Isel, Drau and Puster valleys meet, the town of Lienz lies in a wide basin. At an altitude of 673 metres in the east of the Tyrolean exclave of East Tyrol. The steep flanks of the Villgratner mountains rise up adjacent to the urban area. Although they belong to the Central Alps, Lienz itself is already on the southern side of the Alps. For those crossing the Alps, there are two sensible options from here to the south: either over the Hohe Tauern with arduous stretches through the high mountains or much easier along the mountain flanks through the Pustertal valley.
Arrival
Fastest route by car from Munich: via the A8 motorway to Kufstein and continue on the main road (B108) to Lienz (216 km, journey time: 3 hours). By train: There are 11 daily connections, including night trains. Fastest connection (1 change): 5:15 hrs. Ticket price from 18.90 euros. Info: www.thetrainline.com and www.oebb.at (Booking for the bike possible via app!)
Bikepark Lienz
The bike park on the Moosberg, directly above the city, has been expanded in recent years. In addition to the Alban Lakata Trail and the new Peter Sagan Trail, there is now an 11.6 kilometre playground. It is also worthwhile for participants in the BIKE Transalp to arrive a few days early in order to memorise the first race descent. Info: www.lienzer-bergbahnen.at
Refreshment tips
The first stage leads through the Pustertal valley, passing several towns and villages with nice cafés and restaurants. However, the best place to stop for refreshments is the rustic Tessenberger Alm after the last ascent. Tip: From the Fronstadler Alm it is less than 100 metres in altitude to the idyllic Tessenberger See lake on the Glinzzipf. Afterwards, take a fresh dip and stop off at the Tessenberger Alm with a super panoramic view of the Sexten Dolomites.
General information www.osttirol.com
In the next part: Stage 2 - from Sillian to Bruneck. The GPS data for the entire Transalp route will be available to download here on 4 July 2022.
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
