July 9, 2004 – At the seventh edition of this mountain bike stage race, the 538 two-man teams have to overcome more than 22,000 metres altitude and an overall distance of 662 kilometres.

A total of 1,074 mountain bikers from 27 nations will cross the Eastern Alps from Mittenwald to Riva del Garda within eight days. Four countries will be crossed and 17 passes 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, on 123.67K and 3,995 altitude metres will demand everything from the cyclists.

The field is made up of 971 male and 103 female pro- and amateur-cyclists, of whom the oldest participant is 66-years-old and the youngest just 18. They will face one of the world´s most unique MTB challenges as 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. Record world cup winner Thomas Frischknecht, reigning marathon world champion and three time world cup winner, will form a team with MTB 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 (Ralph Denk Racing Team). Team director Ralph Denk has set out a clear direction: “We want to win!” But Bresser`s teammate last year from team T-Mobile, world ranking leader 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 fifth place in the Sea Otter Classics this year, will start in the first place on the roster together with the marathon winner Mannie Heymans (who placed second last year). In addition, one may not disregard the world cup pros Stefan Sahm and Jochen Käß. Starting for T-Mobile the two cyclists will try to succeed during their Transalp premiere.

The North American women winner team of the last two years Gretchen Reeves and Lesley Tomlinson will try to get a hat trick for their Team Rocky Mountain and catch the winner’s trophy. The 2001 Transalp champion Kathrin Schwing as well as Regina Marunde are shooting for victory as well. Last but not least cross country world champion Sabine Spitz and her husband Ralf Schäuble will definitely attract attention in the mixed category.

The start for the 7th adidas BIKE Transalp Challenge 2004 is scheduled for July 17 at 12.00 p.m. in Mittenwald in upper Bavaria. The first stage, 79.74K long, 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 reward the racers with a wonderful sight on the Zugspitze followed by a 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 long 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 that has ever been part of a Transalp challenge. The 3K long track distance shows an increase of 17-20% and a total altitude of 2,619m that has to be climbed. During that stage the cyclists will pass Lühe whis – the highest European mountain village.

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

The fifth being the shortest stage but extremely demanding, and 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 up to the Auener Jöchl. A demanding downhill provides for the finish section of the overall 72.81K long 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 at 2,072m. 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 downhill of the Transalp, with a decline of 20-29%, will make full use of tire cleats until the applause in pictorial Riva del Garda at the northern edge of the Lake Garda.

Stages Distance / altitude metres
1. Mittenwald-Imst, July 17, 79.74 km, 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

Total: 662.29K, 22455 altitude metres