Propain EMTB-Transalp: Mike Kluge's diary of the premiere

Text: Mike Kluge, Sissi Pärsch, Josh Welz

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. Two outstanding points characterise the route of the Maxxis BIKE Transalp 2024, with the Zugspitze towering in the north. It is not only the highest point in Germany, but also a dominant giant on the Tyrolean side in the Zugspitzarena. Those who roll up to the starting line of this legendary race look up in awe at the rock bastion that rises into the sunny sky above the valley. At the other end lies Lake Garda, a place of longing that combines a Mediterranean climate with rugged mountain scenery like no other. Although the mountains on Lake Garda are not particularly high in Alpine dimensions, they look all the more impressive from the shore, which is only 70 metres above sea level.

BIKE Transalp: with E-MTB for the first time in history

This year, for the first time in the 26-year history of the BIKE Transalp, e-mountain bikers also had the opportunity to get a taste of racing and share the fascinating Transalp experience with professional and amateur racers from the non-motorised discipline. The response to this premiere in the run-up to the Transalp was almost entirely positive, even 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," said the multi-crowned king of the BIKE Transalp - and recommended: "You can definitely organise it so that muscle bikers and e-bikers don't get in each other's way."

And of course, this is exactly what the organisers around route manager Marc Schneider had in mind: The peaceful co-existence of mountain bikers with and without e-support should be the cornerstone for the long-term success of the Propain EMTB Transalp. Although both groups were to tackle the same route, the e-bikers would start at a sufficient distance behind the field of muscle bikers to prevent them from getting 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, a sporting spirit is required: With over 3,000 metres of elevation gain per stage, challenging descents and technically demanding uphills, the participants' riding technique, fitness and, last but not least, battery management are key. What's more, where some organic bikers will be pushing or carrying, good e-MTB riders can ride. But then, as every ambitious uphill rider knows, the E-MTB will get your pulse racing. And of course, the Propain EMTB Transalp also offers a little competitive flavour: special challenges with timekeeping await on each stage, which demand the technical and fitness skills of the e-bikers.

So much for the theory and preliminary planning. But how did the first EMTB-Transalp go? The field of riders was still quite small with just under 30 starters. But there were some well-known names among them. We were able to persuade the most prominent starter to keep a diary for us: Mike Kluge. The cycling legend with the Berlin muzzle now has 45 years of racing under his belt and has collected more titles in various disciplines than any other German professional cyclist. For some time now, Mike has dedicated himself entirely to e-mountain biking off the road.

Mike Kluge's diary

I am known for doing things that are rather unpopular or unexpected. New things simply appeal to me. That's how I went from cyclocross to mountain biking, from cross-country to downhill.

I've had an almost unusually long love affair with e-MTBs. It has been my bike of choice for over ten years. And I still don't get bored of it for a second. It only gets better and better because the development is super exciting and there is still so much potential - in all areas. I include racing in that. Which format works how and under which conditions?

The BIKE Transalp has fascinated me since my active days and I always wanted to take part. It never worked out. So now as an E-MTB athlete... What do I expect? A memorable time with lots of experiences and new people. Some insights into technology and race format. Fast special stages here and there. And also proof that E-MTB and bike work together. It will be exciting - and it will be a really good time.

Day 1, Ehrwald - Imst: For fair-weather riders...

I have to admit, I was a little excited. It's not a race for us E-MTB participants, but the atmosphere just grabs you. And it's my first stage race. It's also a bit of an adventure with the battery management.

The atmosphere is already awesome. I'm a fair-weather rider and I was really worried about July. But at least today it was great, the sun was shining and the landscape simply blows you away. Starting at the foot of the Zugspitze in Ehrwald - it could hardly be more spectacular.

I just met my team colleague yesterday: Martin "Matze" Schneider is roughly in my age group and has already ridden the BIKE Transalp six times. This is his first time on an E-MTB. He's a great guy and the stage was great fun with him. He also reminded me of the special stage. I almost missed it today, I was a bit dreamy. It went okay, but I still have to get used to it...

Day 2, Imst - Nauders: A little ambition is a must...

I can't tell you how differently you approach the start when the region itself is already totally awesome. As a racing driver, you never have time for that. You're blasting away. It's a much more intense experience this way. You step on the gas in the special stage, but then you just carry on riding and enjoy everything. This feeling is new for me. We watch and talk a lot, including with the bikers we meet up with. This format is great for that. It's cool to bring everyone under one roof.

I know it's not a racing format, but you can never quite get the ambition out of me. There are some extremely strong teams on the road. The guys from the Propain team or two Austrians, one of whom told me that he rides around 12,000 kilometres a year on his e-MTB. I do maybe 4,500... Lately, I've been spending more time in the car than on the bike anyway. Unlike the team with Philipp Foltz and Claus Fleischer. Philipp is the E-MTB guide pioneer on La Palma and Claus is the managing director of Bosch eBike Systems. I had a great laugh when Claus took longer to change the battery today because he didn't have the right tool with him...

Day 3, Nauders - Lake Reschen: in the Enduro Eldorado...

Perhaps to explain the battery changes: the stations are about halfway along the route. Of course, we don't have to transport the batteries, everything is taken care of for us and runs really smoothly. They are then ready, charged and spick and span. With two batteries, it hasn't been a problem so far, for example today on a route with around 50 kilometres and 2,000 metres of altitude. But when it comes to the 90-kilometre stages, you have to ride smartly and conserve resources.

The classification stage was much longer at 20 kilometres and it really had everything: mud, technical uphills, slippery meadows, views of Lake Reschen and really rough trails. We always rode a bit in a group and I rode a lot with the Propain guys, which was really cool. On some of the trails we pushed ourselves to the limit, with Janik's rear wheel sometimes going over the edge.

At the bottom on the South Tyrolean side was the depot, we changed and from there it went on smoothly - up to the Upper and Lower Spin Trail. They were really washed out. You have to know what you're doing. Some of the bikers, who are travelling with less suspension travel per se, struggled. But I really enjoyed the stage and am also satisfied: second best time today.

Day 4, Lake Reschen - Bormio: totally fucked up...

What a day! Although I woke up in the morning with really heavy legs. My problem (and also my fault, it has to be said) is that I ride underpowered with the Shimano EP8. The Bosch and Brose riders have significantly more power. They simply push 2 km/h more. You notice that brutally and I have to invest more accordingly. Yesterday I squeezed into the slipstream and really struggled, but I didn't want to let go. That's why I didn't change my tyres, which I should have done. More tread would have been really good. But I have to make up for the lack of support.

But today: 90 kilometres, 25 kilometres stage. There were many sections in the 25+ km/h range - my death zone, so to speak. I was totally fucked. I had to ride so brutally over power. Nevertheless, best time - and that feels good in contrast to the legs.

Day 5, Bormio - Malé: the queen stage...

I love this format. Starting relaxed in the morning, enjoying nature, the mountains and the view with people, talking a little shop. And today on the royal stage. And it deserves its title! It was quite a programme, especially the descents from the Gavia. I wouldn't have liked to have been a biker there. Even with the e-MTB bikes, which are really plush and have significantly more suspension, you have to be careful. Unfortunately, I also collided with other riders in one section and rolled over. Torn spoke, punctured tyre...

I changed and continued, but later I had a side slip and another flat tyre - in the special stage. There were still four kilometres to go and I had no more inner tube. And that's how I arrived: Torn tyre, flat tyre, torn spoke. I was able to hold my position, but again only with full effort. With too little torque and on top of that, well, shitty rolling resistance on the rear wheel.

Day 6, Malé - Valle del Chiese: Just don't get off...

My arm is a little sore from the fall yesterday and my neck is bent, but the wounds are licked. Today was hard again, I didn't think it would be like this beforehand. I thought it would be more relaxed after the queen stage. But the climbs were extremely tough, you push yourself to the limit even on an e-MTB - and you know that if I have to get off the bike, it's going to be really hard work. Our 25-kilometre stage was long again and a lot of it was in the 26-29 km/h range. I just don't stand a chance, unfortunately.

The descent on the Caserole was also characteristic: first a long, slippery, challenging hollow - and then we all got together again, rode on together and discussed our experiences. It's such a great feeling of community, with Matze and with the brothers from the Propain team, who are a completely different generation. It really is something special.

Day 7, Valle del Chiese - Arco: an emotional finale...

I didn't have such good legs today and had to let go. The special stage was very technical, demanding and steep - you had to pull out all the stops to get up there on the E-MTB. The bikers we caught up with all had to push. For me, it was all about arriving safely and enjoying myself.

It was an emotional finale to the week. After seven days, you normally say: I've had enough now. But I can immediately imagine travelling again next year. I'm incredibly grateful that the weather was so sensational throughout the week, that I was able to enjoy the dream panorama and that I had such cool experiences with the others. I'm also happy with third place in the overall standings. It was the stage to celebrate!

My summary of the EMTB-Transalp

Getting on an e-MTB every day and knowing that it will be a fantastic experience in an incredible landscape is simply incredible. The team spirit with Matze, pushing the limits and enjoying it at the same time - it was a feast for me. I'd love more like this!

Vita Mike Kluge

• Born: 25 September 1962, West Berlin
• Place of residence: Denzlingen, Black Forest
• 1992 Foundation of the Focus bicycle brand
• Works as: Speaker, brand ambassador, consultant, bike coach, event organiser

Greatest successes

• 11-time German Cyclocross Champion
• 2-time German MTB champion
• Road race winner 1984
• 3-time cyclocross world champion
• 1990 Overall World Cup winner mountain bike