A number of prominent mountain bikers will be taking part in the stage race again this year. The 2011 Trans-Zollernalb winner Robert Mennen, Jochen Käss and the German marathon and cross-country champions Markus Kaufmann and Moritz Milatz are among the German favorites. The extended group of favorites includes Stefan Sahm, who lives in Switzerland, Tim Böhme and local hero Torsten Marx.

However, the 2012 European marathon champion Kristian Hynek (CZE) and the world-class Swiss rider Urs Huber could give the German contenders a run for their money. Huber is currently riding a wave of success and can count on two top-class team colleagues in Sahm and Böhme.

Despite the strong foreign competition, the German riders are not intimidated. Robert Mennen says: "If a start number is on the handlebars, then they will also be competing for the title." Torsten Marx plays the local Map. In his "living room", as the Hechingen native calls the "Sparkasse Trans-Zollernalb" territory, he is of course very familiar with the area from countless training rides and therefore feels well prepared.

In the women's race, last year's runner-up Esther Süss from Switzerland is the top favorite. Ten days ago, she surprisingly took bronze at the World Championships in the cross-country race. As European marathon champion, Süss is almost even stronger on the long distance. With Elisabeth Brandau, Silke Schmidt and Anja Gradl, she will be up against three top German riders who will be competing for the German marathon title two weeks later.

An e-bike for the tail light
"We are delighted to have such a high-calibre line-up at the start again, which shows how important the race is internationally," says Stephan Salscheider from the organizing company "SKYDER SPORTPROMOTION". However, the majority of the field is made up of amateur bikers. And they, just like the general public, have obviously taken to the event very well. And because it's all about these mountain bike enthusiasts, this time the marathon biker who finishes last in the classification will be rewarded with an electric bike. "We're all excited to see how this develops," says Salscheider with a smile and adds: "We have no experience with this, but it's worth a try."

The number of pre-registrations has already exceeded the 500 mark. Based on last year's experience, the final number of participants will have reached the limit of 600 by the start in Bad Imnau. The stage race is not one of the toughest, but is very popular with professional and amateur athletes. The good and relaxed atmosphere among the riders and at the stage locations is particularly appreciated.

The first stage of the race rides just under 60 kilometers from Bad Imnau to Balingen. On the second day, after the start in Balingen, the participants will have to complete almost 80 kilometers and around 1,600 meters of altitude over the autumnal heights of the Swabian Alb. The riders will be welcomed in Albstadt in the finish area of the Cross-Country World Cup. On Sunday, September 22, the participants have another 80 kilometers ahead of them. The ascent to Hohenzollern Castle offers a small highlight before the rapid descent to Hechingen and the finish of the Trans Zollernalb. There will be two sprint finishes during each stage. The riders can earn time bonuses there, which may be decisive for the overall classification.

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