The starting signal for the second stage of the 18th TOUR Transalp was given punctually at 9:00 a.m. in Zernez, which led to the summit of the seven-day road bike stage race with the 2757 metre-high Passo Stelvio. With its 102 kilometres and 2760 metres in altitude, the second stage was no walk in the park. The high temperatures again made the conditions even more difficult.
Two popular classics were climbed by the athletes today. There was the less steep but scenically breathtaking Ofen Pass, which is characterised above all by its sparse larch forests. After an exhilarating descent down into the Münstertal valley to Santa Maria, the route continued on to South Tyrol. Arriving at the lowest point in Prad, it was then time to tackle the most challenging and popular Alpine pass classic, the Stilfser Joch. 48 hairpin bends, almost 25 kilometres and around 1900 metres in altitude with an average gradient of eight percent had to be climbed here. This required strong legs and an iron will. But the incredible views were well worth the effort. And at the top, all participants were delighted, especially those who were conquering this classic for the first time today. This amazing ride was followed by a long, winding and spectacular descent to the finish in Bormio. Everyone who mastered this stage deserves great respect.
"The Passo Stelvio is an almost mystical classic."
Of course, the winners of today's race deserve special respect. Among the men's teams, these are Benjamin Witt and Philip Peitzmeier from Team Strassacker 2/radsport-news.com with a time of 3:25.30.1 hours. The Stelvio Pass was also a great challenge for the two fastest riders. "The Passo Stelvio is an almost mystical classic. I would never have dreamed of winning here in yellow," said Peitzmeier. "We weren't the strongest on the mountain today," continued team-mate Witt. "We rode into the Stelvio climb with a five-minute lead and arrived at the top with a minute and a half. Fortunately, the leader's jersey gives us wings." Erik Franssen and Stefan Verhaaf from the Stipbike Racing Team secured a strong 2nd place with a time of 3:26.56.6 hours. Third place went to Nils Kessler and Moritz Palm from Team Strassacker 1/radsport-news.com with a time of 3:28.53.9 hours.
Kerstin Kaiser and Luisa Zimmermann from Team Kartoffelclub won the women's team category with a time of 4:54.37.2 hours. Second place went to Gitta Fernau and Petra Marton from Team Genussschnecken. Carmen Krebs and Karina Steffan from TSV Karlstadt Mädels secured 3rd place, crossing the finish line after 5:36.47.6 hours.
In the mixed classification, Francesco Visconti and Chiara Doni from Team Hypertech pb Castelli were the first to cross the finish line in Bormio today after 3:39.48.2 hours, followed by Jael Heinrich and Jonas Kahler from Team Strassacker 3-mixed with a time of 3:49.48.5 hours. Third place went to Tina Büttner and Johannes Wagner from Team drahtesel-lützelbach.de; they needed 3:50.28.1 h for today's stage.
Benjamin Witt and Philip Peitzmeier from Team Strassacker 2/radsport-news.com are currently leading the overall standings in the men's category, Kerstin Kaiser and Luisa Zimmermann from Team Kartoffelclub in the women's category and Francesco Visconti and Chiara Doni from Team Hypertech pb Castelli in the mixed team category.
Over two passes to Livigno
The third stage takes the participants from Bormio to Livigno. However, two passes await on the 47 kilometres: the Passo Foscagno and the Passo d'Eira. After today's demanding stage, some of the riders will certainly be looking forward to the more condensed stage.
Further information and all results can be found at: https://tour-transalp.de
