Bike Transalp: South Tyroleans are among the contenders for victory

Since the first edition in 1998, the South Tyrolean teams of two have won eight times. Once in the men's category, four times in the master riders, twice in the Grand Master class and once in the mixed category. They also captured 22 podium places, including 13 second and nine third places. From an international perspective, the men's race in particular promises a lot of excitement. The field is led by defending champions Jochen Käß and Markus Kaufmann, who are aiming for their third win in a row. The two Germans' biggest competitors are the reigning marathon world champion Alban Lakata (Austria), who is starting with Kristian Hynek from the Czech Republic, and the duo Robert Mennen (Germany, Transalp winner 2012) and Jeremiah Bishop (USA). Record winner Karl Platt, who is tackling the Alpine crossing with the Swiss Urs Huber, can also be rated highly. For the women, the top favorites are the three-time Dolomiti Superbike winner and two-time Transalp winner Sally Bigham (GBR) and the Austrian Christina Kollmann, who won for the first time in Niederdorf last Saturday. From a South Tyrolean perspective, the duo Franz Hofer (Sarntal) and Juri Ragnoli (Brescia) have great opportunities in the men's category. Ragnoli is a member of the Italian national marathon team and finished 16th in Saturday's Dolomiti Superbike, while Hofer finished 17th. The only South Tyrolean victory in the men's category dates back to 2001, when the Pustertaler Roland Stauder won the overall ranking together with the Austrian Thomas Frauenschuh. In the master class, Andreas Laner from Gais will be starting as defending champion with the 2004 marathon world champion, Massimo Debertolis. Both also took part in this year's Dolomiti Superbike and ended up in the top 21 as 27st and 30th respectively. In 2012 and 2013, Laner came second with his then partner Hansi Grasegger, Debertolis already won the Transalp in 2012 with Marzio Deho and was also in 2010 Third in the men's category in 2011. Five of the eight South Tyrolean victories were achieved by Walter Platzgummer. The 53-year-old from Naturns has won in different categories with different partners and this year, for the first time in many years, no longer appears on the start list. The South Tyroleans won gold in the mixed class in 2013. Daniel Jung from Latsch crossed the Alps the fastest together with his Norwegian teammate Kristin Aamodt.

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Bike Transalp: South Tyroleans are among the contenders for victory

The crossing of the Alps, which begins on Sunday, is once again well attended this year. The South Tyroleans will also play an important role in the international showdown for victories and podium places. In the long history of the Transalp they have always achieved excellent results.

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