Premiere EMTB Transalp: Experience the MAXXIS BIKE Transalp on an e-mountainbike!
Josh Welz
· 30.01.2024
New format in 2024: The EMTB Transalp!
It is the mother of all stage races. Dirty, ecstatic, epic - this is how the BIKE Transalp has been attracting professional and amateur racers from all over the world through the most spectacular regions of the Alps since 1998. The 26th edition of the traditional race starts on 14 July, and a real trail and panorama spectacle awaits. And one thing is already clear: the route from the Zugspitze to Lake Garda will once again be an aria of super trails and bombastic panoramas. In total, the participants will cover over 500 kilometres and 16,000 metres of altitude on seven sections. But the top news is that in 2024, e-mountain bikers will also be able to savour the unique Transalp atmosphere for the first time.
The response to this premiere has also been positive in the racing scene. Marathon legend Karl Platt, for example, was quick to take a stand in favour of e-mountain bikes on the Transalp: "I like riding e-mountain bikes myself, and the Transalp is an amazing experience - nobody should be denied that. And it can definitely be organised in such a way that muscle bikers and e-bikers don't get in each other's way."
Mountain bikers and e-mountain bikers on the same route
And that's exactly what the organisers around route manager Marc Schneider had in mind: the peaceful co-existence of mountain bikers with and without e-support on the Transalp. Although both groups will tackle the same route, the e-bikers will start at a sufficient distance behind the field of muscle bikers so that they don't get into each other's way.
An important message for all e-mountain bikers: there is no timekeeping on the stages from start to finish. Every e-mountain biker should be able to enjoy the trails, landscape and atmosphere above all else. Nevertheless, sporting spirit will of course be required: With over 3,000 metres of elevation gain per stage in some cases, crisp descents and technically demanding uphills, the participants' riding technique, fitness and, last but not least, battery management will be key. And of course there will also be some competition spice at the EMTB Transalp: Special timed challenges await on each stage, which will test the e-bikers' riding and fitness skills.
BIKE Transalp with the E-MTB: The second battery is mandatory
As every e-biker knows that battery management is extremely important on long tours, participants and event organisers will pay particular attention to this aspect. Because with over 3000 metres of altitude per stage in some cases, even with a resource-saving riding style, one battery will not be enough. For this reason, every starter at the EMTB Transalp must have a second battery and a total battery capacity of at least 1200 watt hours. There will be charging facilities for the e-bike batteries at each stage location. And there will be a station for changing batteries about halfway through each stage. The Transalp organisation team will take care of transporting the replacement batteries to the changing stations, and battery changes during the stage are only permitted in these changing zones. This means that only one battery change is possible per stage.
Of course, only commercially available pedelecs with motor support up to a maximum of 25 km/h are permitted for the EMTB Transalp. Systems that can be converted to Speed Pedelec (motor support over 25 km/h) during the stage are not permitted.
Starting places are limited!
The Transalp will be a very special experience for e-mountain bikers, because the chance to experience a premiere only comes around once. So watch out: If you want to be part of this unique experience, you have to be quick, because the number of starting places is limited to 75 participants!
The most important facts about BIKE Transalp summarised
- Registration: from 01. 12.2023 at 12:00 noon
- Start: 14 July 2024
- Number of starting places: 75
- Route: identical to the regular Transalp
- Number of batteries: 2 (at least 1,200 Wh in total)
- no timekeeping from start to finish, but on challenges on the course
- Price: 1,399 euros (first 50 starting places, thereafter 1,499 euros)
- For a taster: take part in 1 or 2 stages of the Explorer Days
"Live and let live": An interview with seven-time Transalp winner Karl Platt
He is one of the greatest the sport of marathon running has ever seen: Endurance legend Karl Platt has won the Cape Epic in South Africa a total of five times and the BIKE Transalp seven times. No-one can match the Palatinate native. In this interview, we talk to the Bulls athlete about the new EMTB format and his affinity for motorised mountain bikes.
Karl, you were one of the first pros to campaign for an eMTB version of the Transalp. How did that come about?
The Transalp for e-mountain bikers was actually one of my ideas. You have to train really hard for the classic Transalp. At least two months are mandatory, even for fit bikers. Only then is it really fun. I simply wanted bikers who don't have these opportunities to experience the fascination of this event.
You were already quite open to e-mountain biking years ago. Certainly as one of the first among the cross-country and marathon pros. How did that come about?
At the very beginning, when the first e-mountainbikes appeared, I was also sceptical. Do we really need this? But the more I looked into it, the more I realised what potential the e-bike actually offers.
Do you ever ride an e-mountainbike these days?
I rarely do that myself. But if we go for a ride with my mates, then I'll take the e-bike because then we're all on the same level. And if someone wants to go for a ride with me at a training camp, then I'll also say, why don't you take an e-bike? Then we'll both have fun. But the e-mountainbike is even more important for people who have few opportunities to train. If you work 40 or 45 hours and also have a family, you can still enjoy mountain biking to the full.
There will certainly be bikers on the Transalp who only accept the classic version. How do you deal with that?
Of course I also accept the hardcore bikers. Those who say I need the Transalp with muscle power. This year I'm riding the classic Masters class again. But I think you should live and let live. It's about allowing others to enjoy your own experiences and that includes e-mountain bikers.
E-mountain bikers and muscle bikers will start separately at the Transalp 2024. The right approach?
I think it's great that the two groups are separated for the time being. The pros and the ambitious amateurs race hard for position and are incredibly fast. That wouldn't go well together. I once rode the Swiss Epic as a camera bike with the E-MTB and, despite three battery changes per stage, I had to accelerate like crazy to keep up at all. At the back of the field, there's a bit more consideration for each other and riders can meet each other better without getting annoyed.
Speaking of resentment: Is it inevitable if an e-mountain biker overtakes a couple of conventional starters on an uphill section?
Of course, this can happen, but I think these will be isolated cases. It's quite clear that the e-mountain biker is outside the classification. And you have to be honest with yourself: In the last third of the normal starting field, it's not so much about the ranking anyway. The EMTB Transalp is still a pilot project, but I'm sure that mutual acceptance will increase significantly over the next few years.
What's next for the EMTB Transalp?
I think the theme will really take off. Maybe in a few years there will even be two days per stage. One with and one without E. Then the starting fields would be completely separate. I'd also find it exciting to bring in a few cool pros to lead the e-mountainbike field in different speed groups. I could think of the right people. Guido Tschugg, Stefan Sahm, Mike Kluge, that would certainly inspire the participants. Last but not least, it will depend on the industry. If they pick up on the topic and promote it accordingly, it will be a very successful format.
Josh Welz
Editor-in-Chief
