This is the first time that the classic has been shortened by one stage after sixteen editions to date. Race director Marc Schneider explains this step as follows: "We want to meet the wishes of many participants to adapt the extreme sporting challenge of previous years a little more to the performance level of active amateur cyclists. The participants should have even more fun at the "Transalp" and will also get their money's worth with a total of almost 600 km and 18,000 meters of altitude."

About the "Craft BIKE Transalp" powered by Sigma
The Transalp is one of the most famous stage races for mountain bike teams of two in the world. Since the first edition in 1998 until 2013, the route has led in eight stages from Germany across the main Alpine ridge to Italy. In 2014, only seven stages will be contested as part of the classic for the first time. The exact route will be announced in the coming weeks.
From 20 to 26 July 2014, the maximum of 600 teams of two will tackle around 600 kilometers and 18,000 meters of altitude from Oberammergau in Germany to Riva del Garda in Italy.