BIKE Transalp powered by Sigma

Defending BIKE Transalp Champions on Course

Press Release / 03.07.2017

Last year, Daniel Geismayr and Hermann Pernsteiner were dominating the BIKE Transalp powered by Sigma at their pleasure winning five out of seven stages. And both Austrians are also confident to successfully keep hold to their title at the 20th race anniversary which starts in Mayrhofen, Austria on July 16, 2017. Especially as the latest results of both Centurion Vaude athletes have been great, and the form is where it should be: on top.

While Pernsteiner was able to triumph in the Rocky Mountain BIKE Marathon at Lake Garda for the first time beginning of May, his colleague from Dornbirn claimed victory in the Austrian Nationals while also placing third at the MTB Marathon World Championships in Singen, Germany. In addition, he came out victorious of the Alpentour Trophy with Pernsteiner following in the runner-up position. "My season has been very good so far. I'm absolutely pleased with the results, especially as I was able to show what I'm capable of at the world champs for the first time by bringing home Bronze," said Geismayr.

But other than many would expect, the duo won't get its final fine touch for the legendary race across the main ridge of the Alps off-road but on the streets of Austria. "We are highly motivated to defend our title. We will both participate in the Oesterreich-Rundfahrt before traveling to the Transalp," where the 27-year-old is expecting some strong competition. "Of course, we want to win again but it won't be easy as many teams will have something against it." One of them is part of the same squad as Jochen Kaess and Markus Kaufmann from Germany, the first pairing to ever clinch a Transalp title three-peat from 2013 to 2015, will enter the race again for Centurion Vaude.

However, Geismayr, who will participating in his sixth Transalp, noted: "We don't have any sort of internal rivalry. We are four really good athletes supported by a great team. We are promoting and aiding each other to achieve the best possible outcome where it doesn't count who will place on top in the end."

That said, it is also clear that the reigning Austrian Champion is hoping to be the one on the top spot of the podium again, the more so as the mother of all MTB stage races for teams of two is something very special: "The Transalp is a classic in the race calendar which goes along with what the Alps are all about: weather, terrain, long climbs and altitude."

BIKE Transalp powered by Sigma

The BIKE Transalp powered by Sigma is the most famous stage race for mountain bike teams of two. Since its inaugural edition back in 1998, the route led in eight and from 2014 on in seven stages across the main ridge of the Alps to Italy. In 2017, the event for pros and the average Joe alike will take place from July 16 till 22 celebrating its 20th anniversary and cover about 539.80 km and 18,185 metres of climbing. The jubilee edition kicks off in Mayrhofen and leads via Brixen, St. Vigil, St. Christina, Kaltern, Trento and Lavarone to Riva del Garda where the tradition-rich classic will conclude at the shores of Lake Garda for the 17th time already.

Registration is currently running on www.online-registration.de.