#TotA2022, last call: Lienz hosts a thrilling final act

Good morning from the fifth and last stage of the Tour of the Alps! Today is the day - the spectacular and intriguing course (114,5 Km with start and finish in Lienz) might bring any surprise, also taking into consideration the short gap between the leader of the Green Jersey Melinda, the Spaniard Pello Bilbao, and his main rivals, starting from Frenchman Romain Bardet, second at 2 seconds.

A great show due to both the beauties of Osttirol and the fact that the last part of the stage is characterized by short but demanding hills like Stronach and the final ascent in Lienz Zettersfeldbahn. A final day that leaves enough chance to surprise, a worthy finish of this uncertain (12 riders spread across 20 seconds), intense and charming Tour of the Alps’ edition.

THE JERSEYS IN THE RACE

Green Jersey Melinda - General Classification: Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious)

Blue Jersey Cassa Centrale Banca - KOM Classification: Geoffrey Bouchard (AG2R-Citroen)

White Jersey Würth Modyf - Young Riders Classification: Thymen Arensman (Team DSM)

Red Jersey PMG Sport - Intermediate Sprints Classification: Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana Qazaqatan Team)

FIVE YEARS WITHOUT SCARPONI: TESFATSION AWARDED WITH MOST COMBATIVE RIDER’S JERSEY

On this day five years ago, after he had just returned from the Tour of the Alps where he had won the opening stage in Innsbruck-Hungerburg, Michele Scarponi found his tragic fate during a training ride close to his home.

The memory of the late Italian Champion has since been strictly related to the Tour of the Alps, and fondly preserved by all those who love cycling. Today, the Euro-Regional race has celebrated a special moment for Michele at the start, where a special jersey dedicate to Michele was given to Natnael Tesfatsion (Drone Hopper-Androni), as most combative rider of this #TotA edition.

The special jersey crafted by Alé Cycling, also characterized by the logo of the Fondazione Michele Scarponi, campaigning for road safety in the name of the late champion, was given to the Erithrean rider by Michele’s family, represented by his brother Marco and his mother Flavia, and by Alessia Piccolo, CEO of APG, owning company of the Alé Cycling brand.

DISPOSITION

Meeting Place: 10:15, Lienz, Hauptplatz
Start: 12:15, Lienz, Kärnter Strasse
Finish: 15:15, Lienz Zettersfeldbahn, Zettersfeldstrasse
Intermediate Sprint: Anras (km 59,8)
KOM: Bannberg (1a cat., km 40,2); Stronach (2a cat., km 104,5)

THE STARTING CITY: LIENZ. Main city of the East Tyrol (Osttirol), Lienz is located among the Drautal, Pustertal/Val Pusteria and Isertal. Characterized by mild weather, the “sun city” offers many different alternatives for both culture and shopping, attracting many tourists.

ON THE ROAD: The municipality of Iselsberg-Stronach lies in the middle of the Hohe Tauern National Park, at 1,117 meters above sea level, and is the starting point for numerous hikes and mountain bike rides. The municipality is divided in two by the Dölsacher Berg Mountain: Iselsberg lies on the road up to the Iselsberger Sattel, while Stronach can be found on the opposite mountain.

THE STAGE TASTE: If you want to enjoy the typical Osttirol culinary delights, you should not miss the “Schlipfkrapfen” (stuffed pasta), which are particularly popular for lunch in Osttirol. A good piece of speck, with a “Hauswürstel” sausage and typical, dark Osttirol farmhouse bread is often snacked in the evening. Afterward, a glass of schnapps, especially “Osttirol Pregler” (fruit schnapps) deserves a tasting.

DON'T MISS: The Bruck Castel in Lienz dates back to the 18th century. It was formerly the residence of the Counts of Gorizia, today hosts the Civic Museum. In the castle is possible to visit the two-storey capple, the late Gothic frescoes of Simon von Teisten and the Knights Hall in Romanesque stye characterized by a beaming ceiling.

THE FINISH: LIENZ. With memories from the past still vivid in the city, thanks to 750-year-old Schloss Bruck Castle and the Liebburg Fortress (today’s city hall), Lienz has further increased its popularity thanks to the winter sports facilities and to its homonymous Bike Park.

TRAFFIC CLOSURES

For stage 5, the road closure regulations vary in time depending on the roads involved in the race route (click here for details).

TV DISTRIBUTION

Every day, 90 minutes of Live broadcast will characterize 2022 Tour of the Alps, from 2.00 pm CET to 3.30 pm CET, thanks to the broadcast of PMG Sport.

TV: Eurosport 1 (Europe, Eastern Europe, East Asia, USA, Canada, South America, Central America, the Pacific Area and the Indian Subcontinent), RaiSport (Italy, San Marino, Vatican City), Equipe TV (France), TV2 (Denmark). Austrian ORF will provide coverage of the event every evening in its news programmes.

LIVE STREAMING: Eurosport Player, GCN – Global Cycling Network, Repubblica.it, Tuttobiciweb.it, Federciclismo.it, PMG Sport.

SIDE EVENTS: 

Lienz (start)

• Moment dedicated to the memory of Michele Scarponi 5 years after his death. Scarponi’s family will receive a commemorative jersey

Lienz (finish)

• Exhibition of a local traditional band

• Schützenkompanie Fleimstal’s Moment, association for the protection of the territory

• Animation with the TotA flags of the primary school children

• DEBRA Moment with the DEBRA Austria Presidente Rainer Riedl

WEATHER FORECAST: After 4 days of good weather, the Tour of the Alps meets the rain with temperatures which range from 8 and 9° C.