TOUR Transalp powered by Sigma starts Sunday

Press Release / 24.06.2016

­The waiting of more than 1,000 cycling amateurs is finally coming to an end this Sunday (June 26th) as the 14th TOUR Transalp powered by Sigma will kick off things in Imst, Austria at 8 AM CET. More than 500 teams of two coming from more than 25 countries will tackle the 901.79 km and 19,521 metres of climbing and therefore the second hardest edition of one of the world's most important road cycle stage races for the average Joe.

On their way via Brixen, St. Vigil, Sillian, Fiera di Primiero, Crespano del Grappa and Levico Terme to Lake Garda the field has to conquer a total of 22 saddles. Only once, back in 2011, racers had to master a longer distance with 917.32 km and 19,553 metres of climbing.

However, this year's beauty of the course is hard to top as it represents the full range of the Alps' scenic variety.

The 2016 TOUR Transalp stands out with a breathtaking change from the harsh high mountain ranges of the Dolomites and its classic saddles Sellajoch and Passo Pordoi to the realm of the Prosecco tendrils along the southern flank of the Alps and its panorama saddles like Monte Grappa.

Monte Grappa is for sure the highlight of day six which features the queen's stage with 141.90 km and 3,248 metres of climbing as well as the ascent to Cima del Campo.

Nevertheless, it's uncertain who will be the king of this year's TOUR Transalp. However, defending champion Bart Bury from Belgium who will pedal alongside his new BENOTTI / ax-lightness 1 teammate and fellow countryman Bart Vrolikx is definitely the one to beat in the race for the crown at the tradition-rich seven-day event.

The event itself is as colourful as the years before featuring racers from more than 25 countries including athletes from Australia, the US, South Africa, Ireland, Estonia and – for the very first time – from South Korea. This international flair, together with an incredible routing, make the TOUR Transalp powered by Sigma what it is: the absolute race highlight in the life of an amateur cyclist!

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