As the official team of the Maxxis BIKE Transalp, the two thoroughbred mountain bikers Petra Zeller and Nico Endler from Austria this year at the 25th edition of the Maxxis BIKE Transalp themselves at the start. As Freeide Inc. Austria, the two - alongside BIKE editor-in-chief Henri Lesewitz - reported on the individual stages with their videos and blog posts.
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The trademark of the two bike influencers: Petra rides in her pink dirndl and Nico throws on a pink palm tree shirt. We interviewed them after the BIKE Transalp.
BIKE: How long were you travelling on the BIKE Transalp in total?
Petra: We are in the middle of the field, Petra a little faster than Nico. But our focus is definitely on the experience, the last 2 days I had hurried a bit more and was able to take 3rd place in the women's individual classification, but then it's much harder than if you just take a few more minutes.
Fun fact: At the finisher party, we were approached by a participant who said that some of the contributions from the pros had put him off taking part because he was afraid it might be too difficult for him. Our first video "Making you want to do the Transalp", i.e. the summary from the older Transalps, probably took away his fear AND he actually did it! I think many athletes who have ridden a bike marathon are afraid to take part because they can't imagine that the time limits at the Transalp are really absolutely feasible and that the field is becoming more relaxed from day to day. Then all that remains is a pleasant race atmosphere, but not this unpleasant, sometimes exaggerated stress...
Nevertheless, the BIKE Transalp remains a physical challenge: How many power bars did you consume?
Haha, Nico even took a roll with him twice on the stage. I need about 2 bars and 3 gels per day, so this time a total of 12 bars and 18 gels...
Apart from the "culinary", what were your high and lowlights this year?
The Transalp week is full of highlights for me, every day you get loads of new impressions. The landscape is constantly changing, so it really is one highlight after another! I also particularly like the contact with the other participants, somehow they are "fellow sufferers" with a common goal, so to speak, and so you have new, inspiring conversations every day while biking and of course also in the start/finish area.
The lowlight for me personally was the cancellation of the queen stage due to the weather. Not only was I particularly looking forward to the two trails, the panorama and the crossing of the Gavia Pass. It also tore the carefree Transalp week apart a little, as suddenly the focus wasn't just on biking again, but there was also time to check my emails and deal with the normal everyday problems that you usually just completely ignore because the focus is entirely on the physical. Which is extremely relaxing for the mind.
Did you have any defects on your bikes? With six days on the trails, sometimes that's inevitable.
Luckily we didn't have any, apart from one flat tyre each! Thanks to the great service from Scott, our bikes were also freshly washed and even serviced every day!
What was the "Best Trail Ever" on the Transalp 2023?
It's hard to say, the Transalp was generally a bit more trail-heavy this year and had significantly fewer transfer routes. Of course, we really liked that, and many other participants we spoke to also found it very positive.
I really enjoyed the trail down to Livigno, as well as the entire 3rd day from Livigno to Bormio with lots of trails and steep uphills. It was simply a brilliant stage. The last day to Riva was also mega, 2 trails... dry - simply top!
What's next for Freeride Inc.
Now, unfortunately, we have to wait almost a year again... as far as I'm concerned, the Transalp could also take place once a month, at least over the summer... :-)
Marc Strucken
Editor
