Climbing, rising, always staring higher. Since the start of the project in 2017, this has been the mantra of the Tour of the Alps, the Euroregional race that every year trespasses and merges the borders of Tirol, Südtirol and Trentino to offer five of the most spectacular racing days of the international calendar. The Tour of the Alps has now moved up to the UCI ProSeries – another statement of this rising trend.

As a matter of fact, this is nothing but fitting for a race that has been related to mountains and climbs through its whole history, starting from the long-time tradition of the Giro del Trentino. Such character is not going to be surrendered by the course of the 44th edition, unveiled on Tuesday October 29th in Milan, at the Sala Buzzati, the “home” of RCS and Gazzetta dello Sport. Five stages will take place from April 20th to 24th, 2020, preceded by the usual “eve” day of Sunday April 19th, summing over 13.000 mt of elevation gain over 717,7 km.

The race organized by GS Alto Garda in collaboration with the three territorial boards – Tirol Werbung, IDM Südtirol and Trentino Marketing – under the aegis of the Euregio Tirol – Südtirol – Trentino, preserves and even strengthens its identity, while adding new characteristics and values that trespass the sporting aspect: a development of the strong value statement at the base of the Tour of the Alps’ alliance from the beginning.

Many special guests and authorities joined the presentation: La Gazzetta dello Sport’s Vice Director Pier Bergonzi, Trentino Marketing’s CEO Maurizio Rossini, IDM Südtirol’s Product Manager Helmuth Zanotti, Tirol Werbung’s Ambassador Thomas Rohregger, GS Alto Garda’s President Giacomo Santini, Tour of the Alps’ GM Maurizio Evangelista, Italian National Teams Director Davide Cassani, Lega Ciclismo Professionistico’s President Enzo Ghigo, the Mayor of Pieve di Bono Attilio Maestri, the Mayor of Castel Condino Stefano Bagozzi, Garda Trentino Tourist Board’s President Marco Benedetti, Valle del Chiese Tourist Board’s Diego De Carli and Tommaso Beltrami, TVB Imst Tourist Board’s Guido Vianello and Thomas Köhle, in addition to the athletes Elena Pirrone and Eleonora Farina.

#LiveUphill: on the road and in life

Geraint Thomas in 2017, Thibaut Pinot in 2018, and 2019 Pavel Sivakov, who revealed himself on the beautiful finish in Schenna/Scena and then celebrated the Tour of the Alps’ overall success in Bozen/Bolzano, only to confirm his value during the season by claiming the Tour de Pologne: it’s not just any rider who can win the Tour of the Alps. Those looking for glory will need to earn it when the road points up: that’s the legacy of the Giro del Trentino, that’s the key to the amazing spectacle that the TotA offers to cycling fans every year, with top riders always eager to live up to the expectations with just two weeks to go to the Giro d’Italia.

Indeed, life itself often shows how things that matter the most are often positioned at height or atop a climb – either real or methaphorical – and need to be earned. That the spirit behind the new Tour of the Alps’ payoff, #LiveUphill, introduced for the first time in Milan. The range of this concept extends well beyond competitive sports: that’s a way to talk about values and inspiration, both key elements to the Tour of the Alps as well as for sports in general.

The main character of one of the #LiveUphill stories was presented in Milan: Lorenzo Zulberti is a youngster from Trentino, living a life full of activities and passion while dealing with the Down’s syndrome. In 2017, Lorenzo was a finisher of the New York Marathon, and this time he will test himself with his two-wheels passion, facing the final kilometers of each stage of the Tour of the Alps from April 20th to 24th. A strong and significant message for all those who love sports, and love life in first place.

Short, intense, sustainable: the TotA formula

An average stage distance of 143 km, lumpy and demanding stages with no extreme altitudes, itineraries of stunning beauty to bring the show on the TV screens all over the World (90’ live coverage every day powered by PMG Sport, with over 100 Countries reached during the last edition). The Tour of the Alps’ technical formula is now well established, and that’s part of the reason that made it a can’t-miss fixture for so many riders and teams. It’s more than just a matter of routes: the Tour of the Alps’ philosophy goes in the way of spectacular cycling, territories’ promotion and valorization, providing an excellent experience to riders and teams through top-class hospitality.

One of the key features of the Tour of the Alps is the significant reduction of off-racing transfers, with three stages starting practically on the same location as the finish of the day before: that’s a way to favor the team’s and riders’ recovery, but also to mitigate the emissions of the accompanying vehicles, as part of an increasing effort for sustainability.

Twenty teams will again be at the start of the race, all of them featuring seven riders: the teams’ list will be released in January 2020.

Big news are also expected from the partners’ side, after the big exposure enjoyed by one of the most innovative races of the calendar in the last three years. More prestigious brands are expected to join the panel of long-time partners such as Melinda, Northwave, Vittoria, Autostrade del Brennero, as well as the world of cooperation led by Cassa Centrale Banca.