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The 3rd Edition of the ENDURA ALPENTRAUM is waiting for the starting pistol to fire. On Saturday, September 12th, cyclists will be crossing the main ridge of the Alps from north to south – from Germany into Austria, to Switzerland, and on to Italy – in just one day. The registration list will close at the beginning of the week. Around 800 participants from 23 different countries are taking part in this unmatched adventure by road bike. For the first time, they will be able to select from three routes. On the long distance, racers will travel a total of 252 km (157 mi.), overcome an elevation change of 6,078 m (19,941 ft.), and cross six passes, from Sonthofen in Bavaria (start at 6:30 M) to Sulden/Ortler in Italy. The shorter distance of 146 km (91mi.) starts in Landeck and likewise ends in Sulden/Ortler. Cyclists will have to sweat through an elevation change of 4,315 m (14,157 ft.). Totally new: A third option with a short distance of 118 km (73 m.) and an elevation change of 2,936 m (9633 ft.). Racers will line up in Landeck, climb up to Pillerhöhe, then over the Reschen Pass, continue through Prad on the Stilfser Joch (Stelvio) pass, and proceed directly to the finish in Sulden/Ortler. The perfect route for road bike beginners.

Most of the participants, though, are hardened cyclists and have signed up for the long route over Stilfser Joch (Selvio) pass. As in previous years, racers will ride up Umbrail Pass from the Swiss side before climbing to the top of one of the highest road passes in Europe, Stilfser Joch pass at over 2800 m (9186 ft.) above sea level. Here, at the latest, we should have an idea of who will be the victor in the 3rd Edition of the ENDURA Alpen-Traum, the Alpine dream and nightmare race.

Mario Kummer, Olympic champion, world champion in team time racing, and ex-pro of the Telekom team, is an enthusiastic “Alpen-Traum Fan”, and will be taking part in the Third Edition of the ENDURA Alpen-Traum for the third time already. The 53-year-old covers around 10,000 km (6,214 mi.) while training per year and crossed the finish line in Sulden in 9:50 hours last year. Kummer doesn’t normally take part in Alpine marathons; the ENDURA Alpen-Traum is the only one in his racing schedule. “The Alpen-Traum has a cool story, you cross the Alps from Germany to Italy in one day. It combines everything that fascinates me about cycling: challenges, nature, speed, adrenaline, and the opportunity to share my experiences with others,” explains Kummer. “Last year, I had a lot of fun again, except during the first part, which was very wet and cold, and made it through the race in good shape,” he recalls. His tip for all the participants: “It’s all a matter of planning. You won’t be able to cut any more seconds or minutes from your time in the final week before the race. It’s much more important to be well-rested on the day of the race.“

Otherwise, the race this year is more undecided than ever. Enrico Zen who came in second last year and Bernd Hornetz from Karlsruhe are definitely two candidates for first place.

Having come in fourth last year, Bernd Hornetz, the best German marathon cyclist, knows what it’s all about, but was not in very good shape recently due to a bout of illness. Earlier this year, Enrico Zen dominated in the Ötztal race and the GP Charly Gaul in Trento.

This year, Hornetz from Karlsruhe has been focusing his training entirely on the ENDURA Alpen-Traum. Before the race, he took second place both in the Granfondo Felice Gimondi in Bergamo, Italy and the Granfondo Mt. Ventoux in France.

He has also successfully finished the seven-day Haute Route Pyrenees as preparation for the ENDURA Alpen-Traum Alpine dream and nightmare race.

The towns of Sonthofen, Landeck, and Sulden along with the organizers, PLAN B Event Company and RoadBIKE will be busy before and during the event to ensure that everything runs smoothly. ENDURA, the manufacturer of cycling attire from Scotland, is the main sponsor. The organizers are also happy to announce Continental, adidas eyewear, and SRM as three new sponsors.

Late registrations will be accepted on site in Sonthofen and Landeck. You can find the terms of participation and all you need to know about the ENDURA Alpen-Traum at www.alpen-traum.com


The facts about the ENDURA Alpen-Traum 2015

  • Date: 12.09.2015
  • Starting Locations: Sonthofen (GER) and Landeck (AUT)
  • Finish: Sulden (ITA)
  • Routes: 252 km / 6,078 meters in altitude, 146 km / 4,315 meters in altitude, 118 km / 2,936 meters in altitude
    (routes subject to changes!)
  • Individual & team classification
  • 6 classification categories (minimum number of participants 15): Men, Women, Master Men / Master Women (over 40 years), Senior Master Men / Senior Master Women (over 50 years)
  • Maximum number of participants 1,500 riders

 

 

08.09.2015