3254 vertical metres in one day! Last year, they were over with a loud bang. A hailstorm hit the starting field in Bormio early in the morning, power failure - the stage had to be cancelled for safety reasons. The queen stage of all stages! The executioner, before which even the pros sleep uneasily and which cuts particularly deep into the muscle flesh. Not all participants of the Transalp 2023 were sad that they were spared this monster task. Even if it was of course a shame for the legendary Gavia Pass.
A queen stage like this has a very important function on a Transalp: it ensures that you subconsciously don't overdo it on the previous stages. Once you have finally completed it, it floods you with pride and the cosy feeling that you can now manage the rest to Lake Garda. However, almost 100 kilometres and over 3000 metres of altitude in one day need to be cranked out first. Especially if you've already been in the saddle for three or four long Transalp days and have perhaps never undertaken a tour with such data before.
Small cranks is the key word. It is important to take it easy on the long climbs, keep an eye on your heart rate from the start and find your rhythm. Eat and drink regularly, don't take long breaks, stay focussed and don't risk any falls or punctures. That would cost additional energy and nerves. Yes, it will be a long day, but if you keep a steady pace right from the start, you will definitely reach the finish arch in Malè.
Afterwards, it's best to replenish your carbohydrate stores immediately, drink plenty, treat yourself to a massage if necessary and then go to bed early. That way, you'll be relaxed again at the start the next morning. The only difference is that you can almost smell Lake Garda now!
Stage 5: from Bormio to Malè
- Length: 96.2 kilometres
- Uphill: 3254 metres in altitude
- Riding technique: difficult
- Race day: Thursday, 18 July 2024
The royal stage! Not only in terms of fitness, but also in terms of scenery. The route winds its way from Bormio up the legendary 2621 metre high Gavia Pass, reaching the highest point of the Transalp 2024 and seamlessly transitioning from the Stelvio National Park to the Adamello Nature Park. A change of scenery that is also noticeable in terms of riding technique, because on the south side of the Gavia you have to conquer what is probably the toughest trail of the Transalp: 300 metres downhill, winding, steep and interspersed with rock steps, all the way down to Sant'Apollonia. If you are not so technically experienced or simply don't want to take any risks, it is better to descend at some of the key points. This will also save you energy, which you will need again shortly afterwards, as the next long ascent begins after the descent: Another 800 metres of elevation gain in the form of asphalt bends and gravel serpentines pile up on a meadow slope. Passing the small mountain village of Case di Viso, you soon climb towards the highlight of the day with great views: the Alta Via Camuna.
This is a seven-kilometre-long alpine meadow path that winds around the mountain flanks of the Cima Bleis and marks the start of the reward programme for this stage. Because from now on, it is basically mostly downhill for 50 kilometres, all the way down to the valley floor of the Val di Sole. Smaller counter-climbs are interspersed from time to time, because there are still a few metres of altitude to go before the day's big target. But your eyes don't notice any of this: They are trying to take in the Adamello panorama, which is now becoming increasingly impressive as you head south.
At the Tonale Pass (1883 m) you finally cross the border to Trentino and soon afterwards the large notch of the Val di Sole opens up below. Here you could simply follow the valley cycle path to Malè. Unfortunately, however, there are still a few metres missing from the elevation gain and so the route picks up a few more climbs on the forest path one level above. Unfortunately, there are also a few short ramps, which are a bit nerve-wracking just before the end. But the party atmosphere is all the greater at the end, when the course suddenly circles through historic alleyways and heads towards the finishing arch on Malè's market square.
The BIKE Transalp 2024 starts on Sunday 14 July in Ehrwald and ends on 20 July in Arco on Lake Garda. The route data in total: 520 kilometres/17,215 vertical metres/7 stages.
BIKE Transalp stage destination Malè in Val di Sole
Once a year, the international downhill elite meet in Val di Sole to battle it out in the toughest World Cup of the season. But the peaks around the Transalp stage town of Malè can also be gentle.
The small municipality at the northern entrance to the Val di Sole is not exactly one of the classic, always busy bike centres in Trentino. Rather one of the quieter ones. Probably because it is a little off the main Brenner motorway route. Anyone who comes here for mountain biking is either an Alpine crosser who has climbed over the Tonale and Gavia Passes and is travelling south. Or they are downhillers and may even have a World Cup appointment in the Val di Sole bike park near Malè.
However, there are touring bikers who specifically head for this somewhat remote valley. These are those who enjoy travelling off the beaten track and appreciate the more unspoilt Trentino. The large valley of the Val di Sole stretches from the Val di Non over the Tonale Pass, flows into the Valtellina and almost ends on the shores of Lake Como. If you were to stop at every tour highlight on this route, you would probably be travelling for a whole week. The Ortler group, Presanella and Adamello, the Brenta Dolomites, the Bernina and, at the southern end of the valley, the lonely Bergamo Alps flank you on the left. In between, the side valleys branch off with their rewarding trail detours. You really shouldn't leave them unvisited.
Val Poschiavo, for example, awaits with its slightly modified but natural-looking descents. The famous Bernina railway helps you uphill. The winding "Tornantissima" super trails on the famous Mortirolo Pass and the military trails at the Montozzo Forcella and in the Val di Peio are also a must on the to-ride list. For most of the tours, you need to be in good physical condition for around 1500 metres in altitude, but you will be rewarded with an unobstructed panorama and free riding on the trails. There has been an ascent aid at the Tonale Pass for a few years: there is now a bike park with a gondola and five flowing panoramic descents.
Champion of major international events
But if you want to experience Val di Sole with real bike hype, the locals here are masters at organising major international events. It is not without reason that the valley has firmly established itself as the venue for the Downhill World Cup. This is also due to a very dedicated team of trail builders. And it is precisely these guys who will also be looking after the Alta Via Camuna, which the participants in this year's Maxxis BIKE Transalp will be surfing down into Val di Sole. The seven-kilometre panoramic super trail that the race teams from overseas and South Africa will be dreaming of for a long time to come.
Info Malè
The region The municipality of Malè (740 m) lies just under 35 kilometres north-west of Trento, at the entrance to the Val di Sole, and is the administrative centre of the valley. Surrounded by the Stelvio National Park, Adamello Nature Park and Brenta Dolomites, there is plenty to do here for touring bikers. Info: www.visitvaldisole.it
Val di Sole Bike Park Even the best downhill pros get nervous when another World Cup (10-16 June 2020) or a World Championship is due to take place on the selective "Black Snake" downhill course in the bike park near Daolasa. But the park also offers four gentler trails. Season: 8 June - 22 September, info: www.centrobikevaldisole.com
Ponte di Legno-Tonale Bike Park Bike park with large service centre on the Tonale Pass, info: bike.pontedilegnotonale.com
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
