Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
Sneak Peaks is an immersive bikepacking expedition through the Italian Dolomites and Triglav Mountains in Slovenia, with three route options ranging from 500 to 1,100 kilometers. Find a mid-race update and a stunning selection of photos from the event so far here…
Words by Sebastian Banck, photos by Saskia Martin
The sixth day of Sneak Peaks is in the books, and the atmosphere at the finish line in Bozen is exhilarating! Over 30 riders have crossed the finish line, including the top five from the Classic route and Max Riese, the only one to complete the Adventure route so far. Regardless of the chosen route, every finisher is a testament to incredible resilience and determination.
From the steep climbs to the ever-changing weather, these riders have faced challenges that would test even the most experienced cyclists. The hearty souls have persevered despite the elements, including heavy rainfall and storms that forced route changes to ensure safety. The upcoming weather is expected to take another turn for the worse. Heavy snowfall is predicted in some Rifugios, and rain will likely drench the valleys. As the event’s challenges increase, more riders may be forced to scratch, adding to the already existing tally of 55.
Adventure Route: Max Riese has claimed the top spot in the Adventure category, finishing in an impressive 133 hours and 39 minutes. His achievement is proof of his incredible endurance and outstanding persistence. Unfortunately, Steven Le Fevre made the tough decision to scratch due to fatigue and the increasing risk of crashes in challenging weather conditions. Additionally, Steven had been navigating with his phone in a plastic bag because his bike computer broke on day three, adding another layer of difficulty to his journey.
Six riders who started are left on the route, with many out of the 47 who started changing their route to Entree or Classic. The current second-place rider, Markus Barden, is expected to finish soon with roughly 150 kilometers to go.
Classic Route: With 24 hours left, Sebastian Golisch went all in his ride against the clock and emerged as the fastest finisher in the Classic category. Mascha Walisch, now second in the overall finish times, remains the fastest female finisher. The last five riders left on the route are making steady progress and hope to be unaffected by the upcoming weather changes.
Entree Route: The battle for the first female finisher in the Entree category was a nail-biter, with Laura Trost ultimately securing the top spot. Laura Niediek finished a close second. Forty-four riders have completed the route so far, including a mix of Classic and Adventure riders who decided to shorten their route, leaving under 20 riders on their way to the finish line. Even though the finish line might seem close after passing the last checkpoint, Rifugio Fanes, riders still have to complete an additional 5,500 meters of climbing before rolling back down into Bolzano.
As Sneak Peaks continues, the remaining riders must push themselves to their limits. The weather will be a constant factor, and the physical demands of the route will continue to test their resilience. But one thing is certain: the riders who make it to the finish line will have earned their place in Sneak Peaks history.
Keep an eye on the Sneak Peaks Instagram page for more.
Further Reading
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