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ItalianoUpdated 18.04.2023
Successful start of the Tour of the Alps in Tyrol: The first two stages of the cross-border bike race started successfully in the Alpbachtal before the bunch headed to Italy.
Alpbachtal - The Tour of the Alps was a great event in the Alpbachtal again this year. The region with its imposing wooden houses of Alpbach and the medieval facades of the small town of Rattenberg provided a picturesque backdrop for riders and fans. The race was broadcast live on television and online platforms in more than 100 countries. As expected, the media echo in road cycling is great - because the Tour is considered perfect preparation for the Giro d'Italia.
The peloton was ready for the first of five stages of the 46th edition of the Tour of the Alps, which took place exclusively on Tyrolean soil. 150 of the world's best riders from 13 countries delivered a top-class road show in the Alpbachtal. The starting signal was given on Monday at 11:55 am in Rattenberg. Locals and many children from the surrounding schools cheered on the athletes.
The course led over 127.5 kilometres to Alpbach. The first 75 kilometres were flat and led along the Inn Valley on a wide circuit that was repeated twice. But the stage became increasingly harder. It went up to the mountain classification to Brandenberg, the climb to Reith im Alpbachtal and to the Kerschbaumer Sattel turned out to be crunchy challenges for some riders.
The riders gave everything and fought for victory until the finish line. In the end, former Giro overall winner Tao Geoghegan Hart of Ineos prevailed, followed by East Tyrolean Felix Gall of the AG2R Citroën Team in a sensational second place.
Of course there was a colourful supporting programme: The BMK of Rattenberg, Alpbach and Reith im Alpbachtal provided the musical prelude in the respective village. The children of the surrounding schools came to cheer and in Alpbach the fans could while away the wait at the juice eBike and with the best mountain pizza.
On the second day, the fight for the green jersey of Tao Geoghegan Hart continued with the start in Reith im Alpbachtal. The second stage of the Tour of the Alps led the professional cyclists over 165.2 km from Reith im Alpbachtal to Ritten in South Tyrol.
In addition to numerous fans on the roadside, many celebrities from politics and sports were also present. Among them, former ski racer Stefan Eberharter, Harald Mayer (President Team Austria) and Member of the Provincial Parliament Sonja Ledl-Rossmann did not miss the races.
"Alpbachtal has everything to offer that makes for a successful cycling event, including first-class accommodation, magnificent landscapes and a passionate fan community," says Markus Kofler, the managing director of Alpbachtal Tourismus.
Further cycling events: Bike Days Alpbachtal
03.06th e-Bike Battle | 04.06. Reither Kogel Trophy | 16.09. e-Bike GauditourAt the e-Bike Battle on 3 June, starting in the Reither village centre, various challenges await the participants along the route, such as hill climbs, parcours and much more. On Sunday, 4 June, professionals and amateur athletes will compete on racing bikes at the Reither Kogel Trophy. The challenge is to conquer the Reitherkogel in an individual time trial over a crisp 6 km and 560 m of altitude. The golden autumn is all about enjoyment - on 16 September the e-Bike Gauditour starts in the Alpbachtal along enjoyment stations through the Alpbachtal. Info: https://www.alpbachtal.at/de/alpbachtal-bike-days