The team classification is the heart of the TOUR Transalp. In order for it to harmonise, you should ideally know each other from many training rides and be similarly strong. Above all, however, it should harmonise on a personal level so that you know what makes the other person tick when the stress of racing and total exhaustion are wearing on your nerves. For Janine Meyer and Julia Schallau (33), however, the start of the stage race was an absolute leap into the unknown. Janine Meyer is an experienced multiple starter at the TOUR Transalp and had registered for the stage race with her husband. Their big goal for years has been to win the mixed category. Time and again, injuries and illness have thwarted their plans - and this year was no exception. Just a few days before the start of the stage race across the Alps, she got in touch with Julia Schallau, who is eleven years younger than her.
Julia Schallau's track record is impressive: victories at the Arlberg Giro, Tannheimer Tal cycling marathon and a bronze medal at the 2022 UCI Granfondo World Championships. However, Schallau has never competed in a stage race before. The crossing of the Alps from Lienz to Arco is completely new territory with 858 kilometres and 18,700 metres of altitude. Her nervousness before the start was correspondingly high: "I was afraid of disappointing." However, her coach reassured her and her sponsor Bikes'n Boards spontaneously covered the travel costs. She got the packing list and tips for the race from Janine. She already has 17 stage race victories to her name - at the TOUR Transalp as part of the women's team in 2016 and 2019. She recently showed that she can climb by setting a course record at the Glocknerkönig.
Nervous start to the TOUR Transalp 2023
As early as the first stage, the excitement gave way to the realisation that they were harmonising well and also working well in sporting terms: as Team LeXXiSmartSuits/bnb.bike, they secured the leader's jersey in the women's category by a large margin. They ride so well that they would also be on the podium in the mixed category. Janine has already ridden in the women's team, alone and in the mixed team: "Mixed teams are the toughest because the men are usually stronger. What she particularly likes about the TOUR Transalp is the team competition.
After the first three stages of the TOUR Transalp 2023 at the latest, their lead is so big that they could ride the stages with complete peace of mind. But now that the women's classification is no longer a challenge, they have set themselves new goals: the mixed teams are now the new benchmark. Their goal: a stage win ahead of the fastest mixed team. On the 4th stage from Pederobba to Folgaria, they achieved this feat: after 142 kilometres and 2670 metres of climbing, they crossed the finish line ahead of the first mixed team.
The two women have family support to maximise their performance and motivation: Janine's father-in-law hands out drinking bottles at the edge of the course, which means that the two of them mostly eat only liquids - without bars. Julia's sister has also travelled to support them: her "little" sister is Julia's biggest fan. Arrangements are made via a WhatsApp group. And even Janine's husband is always informed: Janine shares her location in real time via her smartwatch.
Early victory
Before the final stage, it is clear that the two of them have definitely won the women's classification. "We're both super ambitious," says Julia. She has realised that she can regenerate well and that a stage race suits her, even if fatigue is slowly creeping in after five stages. The team works really well as a team and the risk awareness is also in line: "We always give everything - except on the descent," says Janine, describing the motto. She knows that in the hectic race and on the fast descents, any inattention is penalised. This is also evident on the last stage to Arco, when the leading group crashes on the descent.
This makes their tears of joy at the finish line all the greater: "I'm just happy that I got through seven days in one piece and had so much fun," Julia says happily. She benefited from Janine's experience: "She planned the stages precisely and knew where we needed to overpace and keep the group together at all costs. At the finish, Janine was also relieved that "we got through it well". And she is happy "that we have become friends". Both are keen to start again in 2024 - although it remains to be seen in what constellation - after all, Janine's husband is also keen to take part in the stage race.
TOUR Transalp 2023 results - overall standings by category
Team Men
1. next125 Hackl Lebensräume, A-Austria 23:21.34,9
2nd Garda Scott Matergia, I-Italy 24:35.37,7
3. team RV Sturmvogel Munich, D-Germany 25:48.36,4
Team Women
1. leXXiSmartSuits/bnb.bike, D-Germany 26:34.29,1
2. tritime women, CC-Switzerland / Germany 40:12.20,4
Team Mixed
1st TEAM STRSSACKER / radsportnews.com, D-Germany 26:04.08,9
2nd Beastmode p/b ROSE, D-Germany 27:19.35,3
3rd Serpantin, CC-Russian Federation / Spain 27:48.03,7
Team Masters
1st Team Q36.5, I-Italy 24:47.38,3
2nd Team Plasmatreat-B.O.C 2, A-Austria 25:23.08,0
3rd Cyclinside.it, B-Belgium 26:30.25,5
Team Grand Masters
1st Gears & Beers, B-Belgium 26:00.58,4
2nd ORIO TEAM, CC-Spain 27:43.48,5
3. Canadian Fireworks, CC-Canada 27:49.40,2
Single - Men
1st Kirchmair Stefan, A-Innsbruck 23:28.02,9
2nd Nydegger Michael, CH-Bern 24:07.40,8
3. Ruffo Alesio, B-Zonhoven 24:28.18,5
Single - Masters
1st Siragusano Stefan, D-Birkenheide 25:16.54,7
2nd Skupke Krzysztof, D-Munich 25:31.29,8
3. Siragusano Andreas, D-Neu-Töplitz 25:44.02,4
Single - Grand Master
1st Krebs Thilo, D-Mannheim 25:15.58,2
2nd Spechter Achim, D-Passau 26:29.04,4
3rd Hausladen Jens, D-Fischerbach 26:30.06,5
Single - Senior Grand Master
1. Gfall Hans Peter, A-Feichten im Kaunertal 28:36.44,1
2nd Messerlin Philippe, F-Valdieu 30:34.24,2
3rd Peier Bruno, CH-Männedorf 30:54.38,5
Single - Women
1st Rossmann Catherine, D-Heppenheim 27:07.12,4
2nd Jedelhauser Julia, D-Marktoberdorf 27:29.02,0
3rd Moran Amit, ISR-Ramat Gan 30:16.46,2
Individual Finisher
1. Gschnitzer Thomas, I-Sterzing (BZ) 24:36.40,6
2nd Weber Jan, D-Berlin 25:19.02,7
3rd Seewald Norbert, D-Xanten 26:29.37,3
The Route of the TOUR Transalp 2023
Kristian Bauer
Editor
