The TransAlp mountain bike stage race will kick off in just one week. (Image credit: TransAlp)
One week before the start of the 12th Jeantex Bike TransAlp on July 18, organizers changed the route of stage one for the 550 teams of two that are expected. Instead of conquering the Vereiner Alm as originally planned on the way to Reith im Alpbachtal, the first day's race will follow a route used in the 2007 edition of the race through the Karwendel Valley.
Stage one will start in Mittenwald for the tenth time and then head to Scharnitz and into the Karwendel Valley. The Hochalmsattel will be the first climb of the week, and after it, racers will go downhill to Eng and then onto Plumsjoch and Achensee.
The last minute route changes were implemented for "natural" reasons. "At this time, many animals breed in the region," said race director Uli Stanciu, who considered the changes an improvement nonetheless.
No other route changes are planned for the other seven stages. The race will also visit Mayrhofen in Austria and Brixen, St. Christina, Sarnthein, Kaltern and Andalo and the finish in Riva del Garda in Italy.
The race will cover 634km and 22,000m of climbing, including 17 passes and the longest climb in TransAlp history.
TransAlp 2009 July 18: Stage 1 - Mittenwald - Reith im Alpbachtal, 73km July 19: Stage 2 - Reith im Alpbachtal - Mayrhofen, 88km July 20: Stage 3 - Mayrhofen - Brixen, 95km July 21: Stage 4 - Brixen - St. Christina, 84km July 22: Stage 5 - St. Christina - Sarnthein, 82km July 23: Stage 6 - Sarnthein - Kaltern, 77km July 24: Stage 7 - Kaltern - Andalo, 74km July 25: Stage 8 - Andalo - Riva del Garda, 61km
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