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BORA Magazine 02|2021 - English

BORA Magazine is published in 12 languages. It invites the reader to learn more about the BORA products and discover fascinating stories behind the brand.

“If you’re dropped

“If you’re dropped on the last three kilometres of the Tourmalet, there’s no coming back.” EMANUEL BUCHMANN Legendary Col du Tourmalet, French Pyrenees Emanuel Buchmann’s recommendation The Col du Tourmalet is the Tour de France’s most frequently cycled mountain pass. In 1910, this consisted of nothing more than a stony track. Today, a tarmacked road leads up to the top of the pass at 2,115 metres. However, the legendary mountain pass still gives cyclists a fright. On the western climb, they have to ascend 1,405 metres over 18.4 kilometres with a maximum gradient of 10.2 percent. An ordeal that also entices many ambitious amateur cyclists to the south of France to test their own performance limits. Emanuel Buchmann from the BORA – hansgrohe team associates many positive experiences with the route. “I somehow regard the Tourmalet as my mountain”, he says. “Even at my first Tour in 2015, I ended up in the breakaway group on the Tourmalet stage and was third to reach the top of the mountain.” He was also right up with the front riders on the famous pass during the Tour in 2019 and able to attack several times. “The mountain is long and constantly steep”, the Ravensburg-born professional cyclist explains. “You’ve got time to find your rhythm before you really get down to business. I find the west side more difficult, but it gets really tough 3 kilometres before the summit on both sides. From then on, the wind can sometimes play a role too as you’re relatively exposed and you can feel the altitude.” In 2021, Emanuel Buchmann has decided not to race in the Tour de France and to instead focus on the Giro d’Italia. But he’s certain of one thing: “There are still more chapters to come in the story of me and the Tourmalet.” Route info Start/finish: Luz-Saint-Sauveur/Arreau Distance: 54 km Ascent: 1,945 m Sers Descent: 1,957 m Viey Barèges The Tourmalet shot to fame with the Tour de France. Emanuel Buchmann from the BORA – hansgrohe team particularly loves this high mountain pass route. Super Barèges Col du Tourmalet Arreau Photos: BORA – hansgrohe, Bettiniphoto, SpectacularNorway Viella 76 BORA MAGAZINE Luz-Saint-Sauveur

On the Lysevegen, Norway Frederik Wandahl’s recommendation Lysebotn CYCLING Lysefjorden EXPERIENCE Lysetunnelen Lysefjord Yes, even professional cyclists dream of routes that they have never before ridden. In the case of Frederik Wandahl, the breathtaking Lysevegen road in Norway at the end of the Lysefjord is at the top of his personal wish list. “I’ve been fascinated by this incredible climb ever since I first saw a photo of it. It’s my goal to ride up it with a friend at some point in my free time”, says the 20-year-old Dane who started his first professional season at BORA – hansgrohe this year. And even in his limited spare time, he likes to be on his bike. This makes it more than likely that his dream will soon come true. What awaits him can be described in good conscience as unique: from the village of Lysebotn, the road disappears into a 1,100-metrelong tunnel, after which it winds its way round 27 sharp hairpin bends to an altitude of 640 metres. Here, you will find the panoramic restaurant Øygardstølen, which offers spectacular views of the 42-kilometre-long Lysefjord. This Scandinavian par force ride seems to be almost made for Frederik Wandahl, who describes himself as a “good climber”. The pass road was built and officially opened in 1984. It was mainly conceived as an access road to enable the expansion of the Tjodan power plant, but soon became a tourist magnet. The residents of Lysebotn were also grateful for the Lysevegen as prior to its construction, the village could only be accessed by waterway. If your legs are not too heavy after the first 7 kilometres, you can ride another 10 kilometres through the enchantingly beautiful and unspoiled mountain landscape to Andersvatnet. From an ascent perspective, the route gets slightly more leisurely, with only another 310 metres of altitude to overcome. Nedrabø Øygardsstolen Route info Start/finish: Lysebotn/Øygardstølen Distance: 7.3 km Ascent: 640 m Descent: 640 m Frederik Wandahl, 20, from Denmark is riding for the BORA – hansgrohe team in his first ever professional season.

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