ALPENTOUR TROPHY 2022

2023/06/22 - 2023/06/25

Start and finish line of the well known Austrian MTB stage race on June, 23rd to 26th, 2022 are always in at the Planai Stadium in the center of Schladming, where in 2013 have been hosting for the second time the FIS Alpine Ski World Championships, except the last stage (time trial) which finishes on the top of the mountain at the Schafalm Planai. Professional and amateur bikers race over 4 days, as solo or in teams with 2 riders. This year with a new team category called DUO E-PLUS with teams consisting of 2 participants only, where one rides a mountain bike and the other one an E-MTB.The track will lead riders across feisty ascents, challenging single trails, demanding downhills and very few flat sections through the terrific landscape of the Dachstein mountains. All paid entry fees for 2020 have been automatically transferred to 2021 becouse of Coronavirus Epidemy.

http://www.alpen-tour.at/

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Results

Czech dominance at the Alpentour Trophy 2023

The Alpentour Trophy took place for the 24th time in 2023 and again attracted 300 athletes from all over the world to the Schladming-Dachstein region in the heart of Austria. In addition to the defending champions Leonardo Paez from Colombia and Greete Steinburg from Estonia, there were also numerous prominent participants from other sports and disciplines. The Olympic medal winners Andreas Goldberger and Christian Hoffmann found themselves in the field of amateur athletes, as did Paris Roubaix winner Jean-Marie Wampers and the Dutch Tour de France starter Johnny Hoogerland.

“I want to be a role model for many other people. If they see that the old, former ski jumper also riding there, then other ambitious amateur athletes can do it too, because it's nice to share these experiences together," explained Goldberger before the start. Last year, the now 50-year-old contested the Crocodile Trophy in Australia, but retired early after a crash. In Schladming, the big goal was to finish the race, which the always friendly Austrian managed.

Overall, the race was dominated by riders from the Czech Republic. For almost ten years, at that time it was Kristian Hynek, the neighboring country was waiting for a stage winner, this time the 24th edition produced three new ones for the Czech Republic. In the women's category, Milena Kalasova celebrated four stage wins and confidently secured the overall win.

“I am very happy with my result. The route was very difficult, but the view is beautiful. That was a nice experience for me,” said the 38-year-old enthusiastically. Regardless of whether it was the heat of the first day or the rain the following day, Kalasova was the strongest woman in the field and secured the overall success of the Alpentour Trophy for the first time in her career.

Czech men secure three stage wins out of four

The mountain bike elite from the Czech Republic also left their mark on the men's race. Lubomir Petrus won stages two and three, his compatriot Filip Rydval won on the final day. "I'm extremely enthusiastic about the Alpentour and I really enjoyed taking part," beamed Rydval, and the former cross specialist Petrus will probably be at the start again next year: "I like races like this and enjoy them. As a professional you don't lack anything here and even as an amateur, I would always come back."

But the two could not shake the overall victory of the Colombian Leonardo Paez. Supported by Aleksey Medvedev, Daniele Mensi and Victor-Manuel Fernandez, the rider of the Italian team Soudal - Leecougan made the preliminary decision on the first day. Like a year ago, he was the fastest driver on the queen’s stage, which leads over the Dachstein, and cleverly defended his lead over the next few days.

“I am very happy that I was able to win this race again. I like the route as it suits me very well. And it's always nice to repeat a podium," grinned the multiple world champion, who ultimately won the stage race ahead of his teammate Medvedev and the Belgian Frans Claes.

Best Austrian was Michael Holland in ninth place. “We ride with the absolute elite. I knew in advance that it wouldn't be easy, but the way we ride up here is extreme,” the former cross-country specialist, who represented Austria at a number of World Cups and World Championships, snorted in view of the high speed that the hit the absolute peak.

In the women's category, Austria even got a podium place thanks to Marlies Feichtenhofer. "It's great that I managed to get on the podium again and secured my third place overall," she said after the individual time trial up to the Schafalm on the Planai, which was the traditional conclusion of the four-day stage race.

Alpentour Trophy – a successful but also a family product

“The tour was again a complete success and the feedback from the participants was very good. An organizer is of course happy about that," explained organizer Gerhard Schönbacher, who expanded the supporting program this year to include a children's race. “The City Sprint for the little ones was also very well received. It was really nice to see the children beaming as they swept through the center of Schladming on their tricycles, children's bikes and mountain bikes. I don't know if I'll still be the organizer when they start with the adults later, but I think we've sparked enthusiasm for cycling in one or the other," said the former road professional, who himself has competed in the Tour de France was at the start.

Next year the Alpentour Trophy will again take place in the town in Styria, which is well-known for its skiing. “The logistics are just perfect. We have the same start four times and the same finish three times. Our participants arrive from their hotels on their bikes and can use them to return. The evenings together at dinner weld together and actually make the race a big family reunion every year,” Schönbacher concluded.

Location

The Styria region (southern Austria), highty and mountainous in the north, where the almost 3,000 metre Dachstein rises, where the newest of Austria's National Parks, the Gesäuse, and its breathtaking gorges lies, too. Where, in winter, 741 km of pistes await skiers, where some of the best mountain hut bars in the Alps are waiting and where cross-country skiing is increasingly becoming the most popular sport in the 15 award-winning resorts. Schladming is a small mining town in the Austrian state of Styria, very popular with tourists. It has become a large winter sports resort and has held various skiing competitions recently. The shopping area has lots of cafes, restaurants and a variety of shops and caters well for tourists. Staying with the "world champions"! And not just in the matter of the Alpine World Championships, which will take place here for the second time in 2013. The region of Schladming has everything you could wish for, 365 days of the year. 1000 km of hiking trails, 930 km of cycling and mountainbiking trails, 45 walking and Nordic walking trails, 5 golf courses and 14 fixed rope routeson the south face of the Dachstein for example? Or: 300 mountain lakes, 100 large and small waterfalls, high Alpine aquatic landscapes, biotopes and shiny marble canyons to healing springs and places with real energy. The heart of the region, the 4-mountain Schladming ski resort, connects the renowned ski mountains of the Hauser Kaibling, the Planai, the Hochwurzen and the Reiteralm. A completely secret tip for sport enthusiasts is the smaller mountains: Fageralm, Galsterbergalm, Stoderzinken, Riesneralm and Planneralm.

the Race

Mountainbiking on the alpine World Championship ski runs is the motto of the international UCI MTB stage race. From June, 23rd to 26th, 2022 in the Ski-World Championship town Schladming will be all about mountain bikers again. For 4 days international elite riders and ambitious weekend warriors will be fighting for fame, glory, UCI points and price money. The international UCI mountainbike stage race in Styria is worldwide known for the spectacular tracks. About 200 km and 9100 metres of climbing have to be done. No other event has so many single trails through alpine terrain and such a breathtaking panoramic view with the Dachstein as the Alpentour Trophy. In addition to that the bikers will have the opportunity to ride on the World Championship ski runs down to the finish at the Planet Planai where 2013 the Alpine Ski World Championship took place. With its UCI-category S1, this event is one of the four most endowed MTB stage races in the Europe. However, the four-day stage race also attracts a lot of amateur riders with its various team categories as well as the top riders in mountainbike sport.

Stages will remain the same as the year before, just in a different order. All stages will start and finish in Schladming at the Planai stadium except the last stage will finish on the Planai / Schafalm. This year the “Queen Stage” up to Thürlwandhütte will be number 1.The most scenic stage up to the Giglach Lakes will be on day 2 - a real treat with the most beautiful panoramic views in the heart of the Austrian Alps. The shortest stage to Hauser Kaibling will be scheduled on day 3. The uphill time-trial will be the final stage and will finish at the Planai/Schafalm, the “moment of truth”, as the time trials are also called, will make the battle for the overall win extremely thrilling. If you hear about a hill climb finish you think first at the Tour de France and Alpe d’Huez. But last year at the time trial Hillclimb finish there was no lack of atmosphere and emotions at the famous apre’s skiing chalet “Schafalm”.

Evenings program in the Congress Center
The Congress Centre in Schladming offers perfect possibilities for the winner ceremony and different presentations (film and photos from the day) during and after dinner. Here we stage an Australian Evening, presenting the Crocodile Trophy, also an evening for our Flemish friends and of course the unique Styrian region, which hosts the Alpentour Trophy centers another entertaining event presenting the highlights of one of the most beautiful parts of Austria.

Riders partecipate over 4 days, as Solo or as a team of two (only for amateurs), called Alpentour Adventure. 5 separate rankings for sport category riders and the option to ride the Alpentour as an “Adventure” team of two are available: Men, Women, Mixed, Masters1 and Masters2. Prerequisite for consideration in the Masters1 category is a cumulative age of both team members that exceeds 80 years, whereas the age (in full years) is determined at the first day of the race. Prerequisite for consideration in the Masters2 category is a cumulative age of both team members that exceeds 100 years, whereas the age (in full years) is determined at the first day of the race. Furthermore, the monetary the product prizes to the total value of EUR 22,000 are not exclusively reserved for the elite athletes. Overall, the organizers expect 350-400 participants and about 200 supporting visitors to the event.

NEW TEAM CATEGORY DUO E-PLUS

In 2020 the Alpentour Trophy offers a new unique category: the DUO E-PLUS is a team category with teams consisting of 2 participants only. The specialty about it is, that one rides a mountain bike and the other one an E-MTB. You thought you would never be able to do the Alpentour or you have a teammate who was not sure about the participation. This is your chance to take the challenge in the Alps! Any team can only consist of two participants. One with a Mountainbike and one with e E-MTB. Teams will only be considered for ranking if they race the hole route together. This means that the two participants must always be in visual contact. Customary e-MTBs (pedelecs) with pedal assistance of up to 25 km/h and an engine power of a maximum of 250 W are permitted. The batteries may have a maximum of 750 W. All starters must bring their bikes for a bike check on the day of the race before the starting signal. It is allowed to take a spare battery with you.

For most of the 400 participants wins, UCI points and prize money are not priorities. The big adventure of mountain bike, what they can experience in those four days, is the common reason for them to ride at the Alpentour Trophy. A third of the athletes are racing at the Alpentour Trophy Adventure, where the 200 Kilometres are completed as a two-persons team. The Trophy 2019 starts with the longest and hardest stage on day one, where the route will take them to Dachstein. The athletes have to ride 70 kilometres and climb 3.100 metres of altitude on the queen stage on the first day. Second stage this year has a new route because of the wintry conditions at Giglach Lakes. The stage is now including the climb to Reiteralm and has the same kilometres and metres of climbing as the original. Hauser Kaibling is on the schedule for the third day and on final day the overall classification will be decided again in a 14 kilometres long individual time trial from the valley to the top of Planai cable car.

In 2015 the Austrian WC Alban Lakata already imagined himself on top of the podium, was beaten by the Italian Elite rider Tony Longo (ITA, WILIER FORCE SQUADRA) by only one (!) second. And also in 2016 and 2018 the overall classification in the Elite men’s went to Italy with again Tony Longo, on the italian podium with him Fabian Rabensteiner and Daniele Mensi, then in 4th position Germany with Jochen Käß, positions five through to seven to Austria with Pernsteiner, Lakata and Geismayr and then another two Italians with Samuele Porro and Johnny Cattaneo. The Austrian Elite Christina Kollmann took out all four stage wins in the Elite Women’s division. In 2017 Daniel Geismayr wins overall ahead of Hermann Pernteiner and Alban Lakata; Christina Kollmann wins ahead of Angelika Tazreiter. Olympic champion Sabine Spitz has participated in 2019.

The participants have the possibility to register their support or accompanying people at the registration office in Schladming. During the race there will be feeding stations every 25 km and at the finish. Riders have to pass all checkpoints and to finish within 50% of the elimination time in their category. All participants are obliged to use the starting numbrs from the organization. The leaders are obliged to wear the leaders jerseys from the organization. The circuits are marked with indication arrows nevertheless each participant has th be orientated him(her)self. The event takes place on public roads you have to ride regarding the road traffic regulations.

Technical details

Date: June, 23rd to 26th, 2022

Location: Schladming (Styria) - Austria

Race course: Stages 4 (3 stages + 1 time trial stage on last day) TOTAL 200 km + 9.100 m of climbing

Stages 2021:

stage 1 - Schladming - Ramsau Dachstein                  70 km / 3.100 meters of climbing
stage 2 - Schladming - Reiteralm                            54 km / 2.800 m
stage 3 - Schladming – Hauser Kaibling                    55 km / 2.300 m
stage 4 - Schladming - Planai Individual Time Trial       10 km / 1.200 m

Start every day at 10.00 am, only the last day at 9.00 am

CATEGORIES:

1.) Individual

ELITE CATEGORIES (with ELITE LICENCE or MASTER LICENCE):

Elite Men from 19 Y. (from1999) UCI Kategorie S1

Elite Women from 19 Y. (from 1999) UCI Kategorie S1

Elite Master from 30 Y. (from 1979)

AMATEUR CATEGORIES (with AMATEUR LICENCE or without LICENCE)

Amateur Women I 19 - 44 Y. (1999 - 1974)

Amateur Women II from 45 Y. (from 1973)

Amateur I 19 - 29 Y. (1989 - 1999)

Amateur II 30 - 39 Y. (1979 - 1988)

Amateur III 40 - 49 Jahre (1969 - 1978)

Amateur IV from 50 Y. (from 1968)

2.) Alpentour Adventure Special category for teams of 2

Is a race event specifically and only for ‘teams of two’ and open to mountain bikers and ambitious amateurs. Any team can only consist of two participants. Individuals intending to race without a partner can not participate in the event. The Alpentour Adventure offers accrediation in the following team categories: Men, Women, Mixed, Masters1 80 plus, Masters2 100 plus, MTB plus E-Bike (ALPENTOUR DUO E-PLUS )

Prerequisite for consideration in the Masters1 category is a cumulative age of both team members that exceeds 80 years, whereas the age (in full years) is determined at the first day of the race. Prerequisite for consideration in the Masters2 category is a cumulative age of both team members that exceeds 100 years, whereas the age (in full years) is determined at the first day of the race.

Teams will only be considered for ranking if they are recorded jointly at the finish. This implies that the first team member is not any more than two minutes apart from the second team member.

ENTRY FEE 2021:

Alpentour Trophy - Individual: 382,00.-Euro late entry (after August 31st, 2021) : Euro 400,00,-

Alpentour Adventure - team of 2: 764,00,-Euro late entry (after August 31st, 2021: Euro 800,00,-

PACKAGE PARTICIPANT:

Feeding station every 25 km and at the finish

Starter presents

Official Raceprogram – Magazine

Handle bar and jersey number

3 x dinner (Congress Centrer Schladming)
incl. winner ceremony, presentation and program

Pasta party after the last stage

Prize drawing: free entry of the Crocodile Trophy 2020

Prize drawing: Dirndl and Lederhose

LIMITATION: the number of participants is limited to 400 participants

Prizes
• Total: worth of Euro 22.000,-
• Prizemoney: Euro 12.000,-
• Prizemoney not only for ELITE!

Support Package/Vehicle
COST of EURO 85,00.- including

    3 x dinner (Congress Centrer Schladming) incl. winner
    ceremony, presentation and program
    Pasta party after the last stage
    Official Raceprogram – magazine
    Sticker „Alpentour Trophy support“
    Routemaps to feedingstation
    Accredition incl. lanyard

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