June 17, 2004 ­ This year the adidas BIKE Transalp Challenge mountain bike
stage race, will consist of 538 teams having to overcome more than 22,000
metres altitude and an overall distance of 662 kilometres.

The 1,074 strong cyclists from 27 nations will cross the Eastern Alps from
the start in Mittenwald to Riva del Garda within eight days. Four countries
will be transited and 17 passes have to be vanquished. For the first time
the adidas BIKE Transalp Challenge will visit Switzerland on the third stage
from Ischgl to Scuol. The king size stage on the seventh day, from Kaltern
to Folgaria (123.67K and 3,995 altitude metres) will demand everything from
the cyclists.

A total of 971 male and 103 female pro- and amateur-cyclists, of whom the
oldest participant counts 66 years and the youngest just 18, will face one
of the world¹s most unique mountain-bike challenges. The 317 men teams, 128
master teams, 11 women teams and 81 mixed teams will enjoy the mountain
setting of Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. International
world-class pros will start in Mittenwald the on July 17. All of the top
teams will be present. Thomas Frischknecht, reigning marathon world champion
and three times world cup winner, will form a team with the mountain bike
legend Tom Ritchey (USA).

They will compete with Carsten Bresser, who won the adidas BIKE Transalp
Challenge twice. Bresser, having qualified for the Olympic Games, will get
to the scratch line with teammate Martin Kraler from the Ralph Denk Racing
Team. Team director Ralph Denk has clear direction: “We want to win!”

Bart Brentjens joins a pure Dutch duo with Al Thijs (Team Piet de Wit) and
therefore will be a very strong rival. Marathon pro Karl Platt, who achieved
a great 5th place in the Sea Otter Classics this year, will start with the
marathon winner Mannie Heymans who placed second last year. In addition one
can¹t disregard the world cup pros Stefan Sahm and Jochen K. Starting for
T-Mobile, the two cyclists will try to succeed during their Transalp
premiere.

The North American women team winner for the last two years, Gretchen Reeves
and Lesley Tomlinson, will try on the hat trick for their Team Rocky
Mountain and catch the winner¹s trophy. The 2001 Transalp champion Kathrin
Schwing as well as Regina Marunde are aiming at the victory. Last but not
least, Cross Country World Champion Sabine Spitz and her husband Ralf
Schuble will definitely attract attention in the mixed category.

Starting on July 17 at 12:00 p.m., the adidas BIKE Transalp Challenge 2004
will start in Mittenwald in upper Bavaria. The first stage, 79.74K, will
lead over 2,398 altitude metres to Imst. Three passes will be waiting for
the competitors, among those the Dirstentrittkreuz (1,844 m), which will
award the racers for the endeavors of the first day by a wonderful sight on
the Zugspitze, followed by singletrack downhill.

On the second stage in Tirol, leading from Imst to the Austrian skiing
paradise Ischgl, the cyclists will face a demanding boost with 1,200
altitude metres up to the Venetalm right from the very beginning.

During the 73.78K section on July 19, Switzerland will be crossed for the
first time. Before having reached the finish in Scuol, the competitors will
have to pass the Idjoch with an altitude of 2,738 m the highest pass to ever
be included in a Transalp challenge. The 3K long track distance shows an
increase of 17 to 20 percent and a total altitude of 2,619 m that has to be
overridden.

During the fourth day the challenge continues: 118.55K and 3,366 altitude
metres will keep the legs burning on the stage to Naturns, although the
terrific sight on the Ortler will compensate for the efforts.

The fifth being the shortest stage but still extremely demanding, leads from
Naturns to Meran. During the descent from Vellau a difficult downhill is
waiting for the cyclists.

On Thursday, July 22 the competitors have to overcome a brutal 26K and
1,600-altitude metres increase up a challenging climb. A demanding downhill
provides for the finish section of the overall 72.81K section.

The king size stage from Kaltern to Italian Folgaria on the seventh day will
be a great challenge for the participants: 123.67K and 3,995 altitude metres
speak for themselves. On an old railway track the Transalp-pack will first
shoulder the approach to San Lugano before the competitors will then
traverse on the traces of the Giro d’Italia and the Manghenpass on 2,072 m.
The third steep boost going along an old military street of World War I will
finally head to the finish in Folgaria.

On the last day the most challenging downhills of the Transalp, with a
decline of 20 to 29 percent, necessitates cleats tires until the cyclists
finish in pictorial Riva del Garda at the northern edge of the lake Garda.
Eight tough but beautiful days through Austria, Germany, Switzerland and
Italy will be a great experience for the participants of the 7th adidas BIKE
Transalp Challenge.

Stages Distance / altitude metres
1. Mittenwald – Imst, July 17 – 79.74K, 2,398 altitude metres
2. Imst – Ischgl, July 18 – 73.41K, 3,099 altitude metres
3. Ischgl – Scuol, July 19 – 73.78K, 2,619 altitude metres
4. Scuol – Naturns, July 20 – 118.55K, 3,366 altitude metres
5. Naturns – Meran, July 21 – 53.83K, 2,103 altitude metres
6. Meran – Kaltern, July 22 – 72.81K, 2,732 altitude metres
7. Kaltern – Folgaria, July 23 – 123.67K, 3,995 altitude metres
8. Folgaria – Riva del Garda, July 24 – 66.50K, 2,141 altitude metres
Overall: 662,29K, 22455 altitude metres

The adidas BIKE Transalp Challenge is arranged by Europe¹s mountain bike
magazine,
“BIKE” and by the Munich sports event agency upsolut mv. gmbh. The race
info, results, and images can be found at: www.transalpchallenge.com
<http://www.transalpchallenge.com/> .