Wolfgang Sacher: As role models across the Alps

Created: 06/29/2022, 02:00 p.m

Speechless and overwhelmed: The disabled cyclists Wolfgang Sacher (left) and Erich Winkler at their destination Arco on Lake Garda.

A whole week full of hardships lies behind them.

With two arms and three legs to the finish © private

The handicapped cyclists Wolfgang Sacher and Erich Winkler successfully finish the Transalp - leaving a number of healthy and younger teams behind.

Bozen/Wolfratshausen – Another 70 kilometers and 1500 meters in altitude, two more difficult alpine passes.

On the last stage of this year's Tour Transalp from Roncone to Arco, which took place on Saturday, Wolfgang Sacher and his teammate Erich Winkler had to give their all one last time to reach the finish line on Lake Garda after seven days of crossing the Alps at racing speed.

“Compared to the previous stages, this day was a bit easier, but Passo Daone and Passo Duron were very steep in places.

That really pushed us to the limit.

But we made it," says Sacher happily.

As role models across the Alps

In fact, he and Winkler reached the finish of the day in Arco on the northern shore of Lago di Garda after just 2:57 hours.

The two disabled cyclists crossed the finish line in 31st place overall – happy but exhausted from the exertions of the past week.

“The highlight was crossing the finish line in Arco.

The jubilation of the spectators was overwhelming - and we were speechless", smiles the chairman of the RSC Wolfratshausen.

Sacher and Winkler had covered a total of 620 kilometers and an impressive 15,800 meters in altitude.

Among other things, the two Paralympic medal winners crossed the 2,757 meter high Stelvio Pass.

You have mastered the Mortirolo Pass, which is up to 20 percent steep.

And despite their handicaps - the 55-year-old Sacher has been missing an arm and several toes since a high-voltage accident when he was young, Winkler, who is a year younger than him, lost an arm and a leg in a motorcycle accident - they have numerous non-injured and in some cases significantly younger teams behind them calmly.

Anything but a stroll

"It wasn't a walk, though," says Sacher.

“Erich didn't have it easy with one leg, especially on the long and steep passes.

So we were about to give up on the second day of the Stelvio – also because it was very hot.”

But the sporting challenges were not the only hurdles that the two had to overcome on their way across the Alps.

After a fast descent on a pass on the fifth stage, Sacher's front brake cable broke, meaning that he was no longer able to descend the steep descent that followed.

First on foot and later with the help of a team vehicle belonging to a Dutch team, he reached the next town where a bike mechanic helped him with the repairs.

It wasn't the only tricky situation: On the fourth day, temperatures in the single digits and pouring rain made the descents a nail-biter.

On the fifth day, Sacher/Winkler witnessed several serious falls.

“I've already ridden the Transalp several times.

Especially on the last stages, many participants are tired - and driving mistakes happen.

Pure team spirit - with two arms and three legs

That they made it – one reason for that was the good teamwork.

From day one, the two disabled cyclists helped each other, with Sacher, the faster rider, doing a lot of help for Winkler.

So he not only provided his partner with water, power gels and energy bars, but also occasionally gave him push assistance on steep sections of the mountain.

“Wolfgang could not have been more considerate.

Whether on the mountain or on the flat - he was always by my side and motivated me when I got weak.

Pure team spirit,” Winkler was full of praise for his teammate, with whom he achieved the common goal: to show that great things can be achieved despite a disability.

"If we can make it across the Alps with two arms and three legs, then others can too," says Sacher.

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While Winkler is now preparing for the world championship in disabled cycling in mid-August, Sacher is concentrating on the Bavarian championships in individual time trials in the coming weeks.

This will take place in Treuchtlingen on July 31st.

Difficult and steep alpine passes such as the Tour Transalp will then no longer stand in the way of the Penzberger.

WERNER MÜLLER-SCHELL