The toughest stage race in Europe pushes even the most experienced cyclists to their physical and mental limits. This year's TOUR Transalp once again features over 16,000 metres of altitude in one week. And yet every year, racing cyclists come back to push themselves beyond their limits up the mountains. Why? Here are 5 good reasons why you should sign up for the TOUR Transalp this year:
1st road bike adventure with a wonderful panorama
The Alps are one of the most scenic regions in the world - and not just for cyclists. The Transalp route offers breathtaking panoramic views of the mountains, crosses valleys, passes lakes and is always in the fresh air. This turns the road bike race into a breathtaking adventure that you would probably never experience if you didn't take part in the TOUR Transalp. The panoramic trails of the Alps are in a class of their own and will amaze any cycling fan - even if you still have to concentrate on riding, of course.
2. the sporting challenge
Travelling across the Alps on a road bike is definitely not for the lazy. It's a huge physical and mental challenge to pedal every day for a week and cover thousands of metres in altitude. But those who manage it at the end and have passed the sporting challenge will be euphoric throughout. This is the challenge, and the time from registration to reaching the finish line is a process, a sporting journey. Crossing the finish line after a tough but also beautiful week on the road bike at the TOUR Transalp is incomparable!
3. together to the goal
Of course, you can also register for the TOUR Transalp as a solo starter, but what is much more fun and motivating is participating as a team of two. Together with your partner, best mate or brother or sister, the Transalp challenge becomes an event according to the motto: "Shared joy is double the joy".
Your team partner can be the most important motivation when difficult moments occur during the stages and your muscles are on fire - then you can push each other on. At the finish of each stage - and even more so after the final finish - there is no substitute for reviewing your experiences together over a cool drink and celebrating your achievements with your team partner.
TOUR Transalp 2023: The TOUR briefing in the webinar
4. exchange ideas and talk shop with other participants
Before and after the stages, there is plenty of time to meet and get to know the other participants who have also embarked on this madness. For example, when there is pasta in the evening. Then you can sit together in a cosy atmosphere and talk shop about the world of racing bikes - because a lot of concentration and effort is the order of the day during the stages. "Why did you choose this road bike? How are you getting on with the gears? What tyres are you riding?" These and probably 1000 other questions can be discussed - you are among like-minded people and the exchange is a really cool thing as part of the TOUR Transalp. You can learn a lot about technique or physical conditions, psychology and physique because you can share and exchange experiences.
5. (No) excuses
Once registered, there's no going back. You have shown yourself: I'm really doing it! But this should also be seen as motivation, because once you've decided to sign up, you take things more seriously and don't skip training sessions just because the weather isn't right. It's a tough fitness programme where every session counts and you don't want to deviate from your plan. So get on your road bike! A second advantage is that precisely because your training plan includes lots of sessions - including at the weekend - you now finally have an excuse as to why you often can't attend the family coffee on Sunday afternoons. You simply have a commitment that you want to fulfil. So the coffee has to wait.
Maik Schröder
Editor
