In East Tyrol, one cycling highlight follows another: just last weekend saw the Dolomitenradrundfahrt and the SuperGiroDolomiti take place, followed by the celebrations for Felix Gall, who put in an impressive performance at the Giro d’Italia, and now the TOUR Transalp is coming to Lienz. The Alpine stage race starts in East Tyrol and takes in the Staller Sattel, one of the most scenic border crossings between Austria and South Tyrol. The route combines new mountain passes in the Dolomites with classics such as Monte Grappa and traditionally finishes at Lake Garda.
Opening stage of the TOUR Transalp
The first stage of the Tour Transalp, from Lienz to Sillian, takes participants through the Defereggental valley to the Staller Sattel at an altitude of 2,052 metres. The valley cuts its way from east to west through the Hohe Tauern, whose peaks on the northern flank rise to over 3,000 metres. The 35-kilometre stretch from the valley entrance to the pass covers 1,250 metres of elevation gain, resulting in moderate gradients. The Lienz Dolomites to the south, together with the Tauern and the Riesenferne Group to the north, provide the backdrop for the start.
At the Staller Sattel, the route reaches the border with Italy. A narrow, winding road leads down to the biathlon stadium in Antholz, where the Olympic biathlon competitions will take place in 2026. The road widens and runs straight into the Puster Valley towards Olang at the foot of Kronplatz. Quiet side roads take the Tour Transalp participants over a hill to Welsberg and on along the cycle path to Niederdorf. The main road runs on level ground via Toblach and Innichen back to the border. In Austria, there are still 4 kilometres to go to the stage finish in Sillian.
The Queen Stage of the TOUR Transalp
The second stage of the Tour Transalp, from Sillian to San Martino di Castrozza, already demands the utmost climbing endurance. The Passo Staulanza and the Passo Duran feature in the Transalp programme for the first time. The route passes the Three Peaks, Monte Cristallo, Hohe Gaisl, Antelao, Tofana, Civetta, Monte Pelmo and the peaks of the Dolomiti Bellunesi. The Passo Giau is the highest point of the stage. The pass road winds its way up through the rock towers of the Cinque Torri near Cortina. After the descent to Selva di Cadore, the climb to the Passo Staulanza begins, with an elevation gain of 450 metres. The road winds its way between the Civetta and Monte Pelmo. The descent into the Val di Zoldo is wide and winding. In the village of Dont, the narrow road branches off towards Passo Duran. The 650-metre climb is steeper than that of the Staulanza. The descent to Agordo follows a winding route. From Agordo to Falcade, the 600-metre climb is spread over 18 kilometres.
A classic on the TOUR Transalp
The third stage of the Tour Transalp, from Falcade to San Martino di Castrozza, is the shortest at less than 50 kilometres, but covers an elevation gain of almost 1,800 metres. The Passo Valles and the Passo Rolle are among the Transalp classics. The Pale di San Martino form the southernmost massif of the Dolomites and dominate the landscape. For participants in the 3-day challenge, the tour ends here.
For all participants in the entire TTA, the 4th stage runs from San Martino di Castrozza to Possagno via the Passo Brocon and Monte Grappa. With over 3,000 metres of elevation gain, this is the second ‘queen stage’. The north-facing ascent to Monte Grappa runs largely through woodland and climbs 1,500 metres in altitude to Cima Grappa. The summit features a memorial to the victims of the First World War. On a clear day, the view stretches from the southern flank all the way to the Adriatic Sea.
The stage finish in Possagno lies at an altitude of 200 metres on the southern edge of the Monte Grappa massif. The Tempio Canova, a circular building with a classical columned façade, was built to designs by the sculptor Antonio Canova. The open space in front of the temple serves as the finish area.
Monte Grappa and the Prosecco Hills
The fifth stage from Possagno to Semonzo follows a scenic road on Monte Grappa that has never before been part of the Tour Transalp. The road begins at Monte Tomba at an altitude of 800 metres and winds its way up through a series of tight hairpin bends into the alpine pastures below the summit. A number of rock tunnels had to be renovated, which is why the road was closed for several years. The descent via Campo Solagna to Romano d’Ezzelino is slightly longer than the standard route, featuring a short intermediate climb. Two flat kilometres lead to Semonzo.
The stage is preceded by a loop through the Prosecco hills around Valdobbiadene. The cultural landscape, with its vineyards and red-tiled roofs, lies just three to four kilometres from Monte Grappa. Narrow roads wind their way up and down the hills. The “Prosecco Cycling” event takes place here in September.
The Plateau and the Lake Garda Finale
Stage six of the Tour Transalp, from Semonzo to Lavarone, leads across the Sette Communi plateau. The Valstagna boasts one of the most bizarre roads in the history of the Transalp. The road winds its way up the mountainside in hairpin bends for 800 metres to Foza. An old German dialect has survived here. Foza is also known as ‘Vüsche’, whilst Asiago is called ‘Sleghe’. The plateau is farmland and a cheese-making stronghold. The cooler microclimate makes the region an attractive destination in summer.
The Pedescala leads down into the Valdastico. In the valley, there are two routes back up to the plateau. This route takes the longer route via Arsiereo and Tonezza. The highest point is at an altitude of 1,500 metres at Malga Melgnon. The Passo del Sommo between Folgaria and Carbonare is approached from the side, coming from above. After a short descent, it is 5 kilometres to Lavarone.
The final stage of the 2026 Tour Transalp, from Lavarone to Riva del Garda, covers a further 1,800 metres of elevation gain over 80 kilometres. The Passo del Sommo is now a proper mountain pass, 250 metres high. The Passo Bordala, at an altitude of 1,251 metres, involves a 1,100-metre climb from the Adige Valley. The pass leads into the Val di Gresta, a high valley overlooking Lake Garda. The Passo Santa Barbara lies 1,000 metres above Lake Garda. A narrow road winds its way through the forest to Bolognano. A few flat kilometres lead to the harbour at Riva del Garda.
Starting point of the stages
- Lienz: Hauptpl. 15-1, 9900 Lienz, Austria
- Sillian: Sillian 113, 9920 Sillian, Austria
- Falcade: Via delle Pioatte, 32020 Falcade BL, Italy
- San Martino di Castrozza: Via Passo Rolle, 167, 38054 San Martino di Castrozza TN, Italy
- Possagno: Via Stradone del Tempio, 31054 Possagno, Italy
- Semonzo: Via Chiesa, 31030 Semonzo, Italy
- Lavarone: Frazione Gionghi, 107, 38046 Lavarone TN, Italy
- Riva del Garda: Via della Liberazione, 5, 38066 Riva del Garda TN, Italy
Schedule of the stages
Day bag
The stages normally start at 9 am. Before the start, you can hand in a personal day bag (the size of a gym bag) at the start area no later than 20 minutes before the start. After crossing the finish line, you can then collect your day bag again from the day bag team.
Starting grid
The starting grid is formed 60 minutes before the official start of each stage. The daily briefing for all participants, conducted by the race organisers, begins 15 minutes before the official start. On the first stage, the starting grid is organised according to start numbers, which are allocated by the organisers. From the second stage onwards, participants line up in starting sectors according to their position in the overall standings.
Catering
There are usually two refreshment points per stage, where snacks (fruit, cake, pretzel sticks, etc.) are available. Water and isotonic drinks are also provided.
Traffic rules
The event will take place on public roads that are not closed to traffic. Participants must comply with the road traffic regulations at all times.
Timekeeping
At each stage finish, participants must cross the induction loops on the ground. In the case of teams, the two participants do not have to cross the finish line together. However, only the time of the slower participant in a team is recorded.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
