Sunday, August 24th,2003: Starting signal for the XX Alps, Wolfgang Faschings highlight of the year. Skiing legend Andreas Wenzl organized this event: the crossing of Austria, Italy, the Switzerland and France, including 52,000 meters difference in altitude.
After victories in the Salzkammergut Trophy and in a 24 hour race in Munich, he is optimistic about the race. “I am well prepared, and the medical care, which is very important in such a long race, is conducted over the phone.” Faschings team consists of eight people, who are in charge of him, and three cameramen.

This race includes special difficulties: “You can´t calculate the weather; the snow, rain and cold are unpleasent companions; and the downhill passages don´t give you enough time to recover. The daily sleeping quota – I don´t know yet, but not that much is planned”. As expected, the XX Alps become a very tough race for the 3 – times winner of the RAAM. Other well-known riders like Andreas Clavadetscher and Fabio Biasoli are also fighting for the victory in this prestigious competition.

The Pains after the Victory
The winner of the extreme biketour and his team have reached Austria – glad, but in a lot of pain. Fasching has wounds on his backside. This is no wonder after 110 hours of riding time, only a 3.5 hour break and a total of 2 hours of sleep! But Fasching hasn´t lost his humor: “My muscles feel pretty good, without this ulcerated bottom I could ride again, no problem!”