The 5th edition of the Trans Varaita Bike is now very close, the mountain bike race that from 2019 to today has brought mountain bike enthusiasts from all over the world to discover Val Varaita and its magnificent trails.
Source: press release
A simple and perhaps for this reason successful recipe: the Trans Varaita Bike offers a multi-day enduro race with blind tests in a fabulous alpine context. But it's not just the race that makes this event special: Occitan music, local food, an organization that pays attention to detail, an atmosphere of celebration and friendship. All this makes the Trans Varaita Bike a truly unique event on the Italian scene.
For the fifth edition, the race format of previous years is confirmed: nine "blind" downhill special stages for everyone (that is, without the possibility of trying them before the race) divided over four days of competition. Every day the protagonist is a different area of the valley, to give the opportunity to get to know the extraordinary variety of environments, paths and panoramas that Val Varaita has to offer.
Andrea Margaria, organizer of the Trans Varaita Bike together with his brother Nicolò and with the support of the whole family: "We have created this race to introduce Val Varaita to mountain bike lovers because we know how in other territories the events have served as a showcase and have favored the development of a tourist movement linked to the practice of this sport. Which is exactly what we want to happen here as well. In fact, Trans Varaita Bike is a project that does not stop at the four days of competition and, with our partner 4Guimp Travel, we have created tourist proposals to experience mountain biking or e-bikes over several days with the aim of also bringing who is not interested in participating in a race to discover our valley”.
The competition program also this year therefore includes four different locations for each day. It starts on Thursday 24 August from Brossasco with the particularity of the night race, to move on the second day to the upper valley for a stage in pure alpine style, with Monviso in the background. The third day we go down to the middle valley for an enduro day, to round off Sunday 27th with the most cycle-mountaineering day of the four, characterized by portage (parts with bikes on the shoulder or pushed) and a very wild environment.
The Belgian Olivier Bruwiere, who after the excellent results at the beginning of the season returns to defend the title conquered last year, declared: “At Trans Varaita it doesn't feel like being in a race, but rather in one of the best mountain adventures with friends. Thanks to the beautiful trails and the local products of the valley, the organizers give us runners four unforgettable days of cycling and fun every year". Among this year's favorites there are also the local Giorgio Cesano and Glenn Macarthur who has just finished 2nd in the Stoneking Rally and fresh winner of the Cervinia Maxiavanlache.
In the women's field, last year's winner Evelien Hofmann will not be able to start, but she wanted to send a message: "For me, a mountain bike enthusiast, the Trans Varaita was the perfect event to discover a new area . The best trails selected by people who have the same way of experiencing mountain biking as me, enjoying a good atmosphere among the participants during the race and convivial moments after the race, have made the experience unforgettable in the splendid Val Varaita”. Among the women we will see Louise Paulin, a very strong Swedish athlete who has been living and working as a guide in Finale Ligure for years, already Masters world champion in the Enduro World Series.
Among the partners, the support of Cicli Mattio, many local sponsors and 2023Guimp as main sponsor was reconfirmed also in 4. Enrico Guala, owner of the Genoese company: “As mountain bike and mountain enthusiasts I can say that Val Varaita has literally bewitched us. The event has already done a lot to discover this still little-known reality among lovers of this sport and I'm sure that much more can be done in the future, by continuing to promote and offer this territory even outside the competitive context. The ingredients for a great cycling holiday are all there: many paths, panoramas, hospitality, stupendous panoramas. In a nutshell, an area that is absolutely worth visiting, especially if accompanied by local guides who know the area perfectly and know how to choose the best for those who want to experience a true alpine adventure by bike".
The schedule of the Trans Varaita Bike 2023 powered by Conway
Thursday August 24
Brossasco – Signpost Porta di Valle
9.00 delivery of tables and race packs
11.45 Opening prologue powered by Antagonisti
15.30 pm opening of Special Stage 1 powered by Dyedbro
18.30 video projection "Peru: How High" produced by Evoc, powered by 4Guimp Travel
20.30 opening night stage powered by Ciclimattio
22.00 pm Award ceremony for the day and dressing of the first leader
Friday August 25th
Pontechianale – Playa Alpina
8.30 am Departure with chair lifts
11.15 am Opening of the Special Stage powered by Dainese
13.20 pm Opening of the Special Stage powered by Fiveten
14.00 pm lunch for the athletes and awarding of the day's special stages and new leader
14.00 pm – 15.30 pm 4Guimp Dual Slalom powered by Urge
18.30 aperitif at hotel residence Torinetto – Sampeyre
21.00 Concert of Occitan music – Paure Diau
Saturday August 26th
Victory Square Sampeyre
8.30 Departure
9.30 am Departure of 4Guimp Ride – guided mountain bike tour powered by 4Guimp Travel
11.00 Opening of Special Stage 1 powered by EVOC
12.20 Opening of the Special Stage powered by URGE
13.50 pm Opening of Special Stage 3 powered by MUC-OFF
14.15 pm lunch for the athletes
18.30 4Guimp Chill Party at the hotel Residence Torinetto awards of the day
21.00 pm “Cianto Viol” party in Piazza della Vittoria, Sampeyre
Sunday August 27st
Bellino – Melezè Refuge
8.30 Departure
9.30 am Departure 4Guimp Ride – guided tour by e-mountain bike powered by 4Guimp Travel
11.45 Opening of Special Stage 1 powered by CONWAY
13.30 Lunch for the athletes
14.30 pm Aster Cheer show
15.00 final awards
15.30 pm Final party – Acoustic concert
For more information
www.transvaraitabike.com - [email protected]
