In seven days they were in the saddle for almost 33 hours, over 500 kilometers and an unbelievable 18,000 meters in altitude they tormented themselves. But the greatest challenge for Maxi Maier and Tobias Storch did not wait for any of the many Alpine peaks that they climbed and rushed down on the Bike Transalp - but on the breakfast table. Because morning after morning there was a bowl filled to the brim with porridge or rice pudding, which even honey, bananas and other additions could not turn into a culinary delight.
Garching - "We took the first spoon and then rattled for five minutes because nobody felt like eating any more," says Tobias Storch and laughs. Both the 27-year-old and his partner knew that this high-energy breakfast was needed, given the strenuous exertion that the two Garchingers were waiting for day after day in what is perhaps the toughest mountain bike stage race in the world. And so they drank the porridge obediently, albeit reluctantly, before the start of the respective stage a little later - and the torture began.
“I actually drove in the red area every day,” says Tobias Storch. "It was a blatant torture, but also a great experience with an incredible number of experiences." Storch was able to share these experiences with his specialist Maxi Maier, after all, the Bike Transalp is traditionally ridden in a team of two. In the case of the two Garchingers, however, it was an unequal team: here, the semi-professional Maier, who is regularly at the forefront of German mountain bike championships; there the thoroughbred amateur Storch, who spent a good six months preparing for the Bike Transalp.
This difference was already evident on the first day and on the first mountain, when Maxi Maier initially drove into the top group - and whose pace could easily keep up, as he says.
But when he turned to his partner after a while, he saw there - nothing.
“I was out of breath, probably also because I was so excited,” says Storch.
"And then everyone cycled past me for the time being." At that moment, Maxi Maier, on the other hand, realized where his place would be in this stage race: "At Tobi's side, pushing his hand on his back."
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Happy that the torture is over: Tobias Storch (left) drove in the red area for seven days - physically and mentally supported by Maxi Maier.
© Photo: Maxi Maier
And so the two of them tormented their way through the Alps on this and the following days, with Maier repeatedly pulling his partner along on climbs - figuratively and literally. “Maxi was my helper, my physiotherapist and my psychotherapist,” says Storch. “We drove this race as a real team.” After the bumpy start, things got better day by day, says the 27-year-old. In the end, “Team Formkante”, as it is called, achieved a respectable 19th place in the overall standings - in 33:51 hours, a good eight hours slower than the winners.
At the finish on Lake Garda he was “just happy” that the torture has now come to an end, says Tobias Storch - on the one hand.
"On the other hand, I was also a little sad that this great time is over." Although her first start at the Bike Transalp will certainly not be her last, Storch emphasizes.
“I definitely want to ride the Bike Transalp again.
Maybe not with Maxi, because he should also get the chance to ride up front - and he can't do that with me. "
But regardless of which partner the Garching team will one day torment their way through the Alps - one thing should look different than this time.
Namely breakfast.
“That porridge or the rice pudding every morning,” says Tobias Storch, “that was just the worst of all”.
