What is the Schwalbe-TOUR-Transalp? Running for its ninth year in 2011, the TOUR-Transalps is a seven-stage road race starting in Sonthofen, southwest of Munich/ Germany, and following a route over the toughest mountain passes in the Alps to the shores of Lake Garda in northern Italy. With a total distance of approximately 926 kilometers and 19,500 meters of climbing, the race follows the same mountain roads known from pro races like the Giro d'Italia or the Tour of Germany. The race is for teams of two (riders) in five categories: Men, Women, Masters (any age of both riders combined totals 80 years), Grand Masters (combined age totals 100 years) and Mixed. www.tour-transalp.de