The former Austrian rider revealed the Euroregional race’s course to be “Challenging and beautiful. Climbers will show off, but many will have the chance to shine.”
Bernie Eisel would have hardly had the Tour of the Alps on his calendar during his racing days. Once a key domestique to fast men like Mark Cavendish and GC leaders like Chris Froome, the Austrian became a well-respected TV presenter at Eurosport after finishing his racing career and has now joined the technical staff of the BORA -hansgrohe team.
Highly regarded as a road captain in the pro peloton, Eisel is now equally impressive for his sharp analysis in front of the TV cameras. The Austrian unveiled the key racecourse sections as well as the inherent beauty of the Tirol-Südtirol/Alto Adige-Trentino Euroregion during video previews of the five-stage 2022 Tour of the Alps (April 18-22, 2022).
Eisel rode all five stages from the start in Cles, Trentino to the grand finale in Lienz, Tirol.
“I was impressed by the setting and the views. The course passes through incredible venues, starting with Melinda’s apple orchards and crosses peaks and valleys full of charm.”
“The route is varied, challenging, and fascinating. It may be because I’ve taken the number off my back, but this was arguably the most beautiful ride I’ve done in a long time.”
On a technical level, the Austrian predicts an open race with opportunities for riders with different abilities, though a climber is expected to succeed Simon Yates in the race’s list of winners. “There aren’t any impossible climbs or prohibitive elevations, but there’s no doubt that the winner of the Tour of the Alps will be a strong climber.”
The race’s highest point is the Passo Rolle, at just over 2000 meters high. The stage finishes are often characterized by shorter and more explosive climbs, which will give opportunities to punchy riders, not only pure climbers.”
Eisel has closely followed the recent evolution of the Tour of the Alps, thanks to an increasing level of participation and a different mindset by the riders taking part in it.
“The TotA took over from the Giro del Trentino as the dress rehearsal for the Giro d’Italia, but now you can view it as a standalone race. The Tour of the Alps is a significant victory for any rider; this is also reflected in the growing media coverage,” Eisel said.
“I’m a really big fan of shorter stages and racing at lower elevations, thus avoiding the risk of having a stage canceled or needing a plan B to stay down low and maintain the race’s technical aspects. As demonstrated in previous editions of the Tour of the Alps, short stages also succeed in keeping the race open – there’s always an opportunity to upset the standings and fight for the jersey until the final day.”
The five stage preview videos featuring Bernhard Eisel will be published on the Tour of the Alps’ official digital channels. The first episode, which highlights the opening stage from Cles to Primiero/San Martino di Castrozza, is already available online on the Tour of the Alps’ official website, Youtube, Facebook, and Instagram channels.
2022 Tour of the Alps’ Program
Monday, April 18th
Stage 1: Cles-Primiero/S. Martino di Castrozza, 160,9 Km
Elevation Gain: 2950 m.
Difficulty: ***
Tuesday, April 19th
Stage 2: Primiero/S. Martino di Castrozza-Lana, 154,1 Km
Elevation Gain: 3200 m.
Difficulty: ***
Wednesday, April 20th
Stage 3: Lana-Niederdorf/Villabassa, 154,6 Km
Elevation Gain: 3050 m.
Difficulty: ****
Thursday, April 21st
Stage 4: Niederdorf/Villabassa-Kals am Groβglockner, 142,4 Km
Elevation Gain: 2400 m.
Difficulty: ****
Friday, April 22nd
Stage 5: Lienz-Lienz, 115,9 Km
Elevation Gain: 2300 m.
Difficulty: ***
Arco (Italy), January 14th, 2022
