Austria is a cycling country: there are 1.2 million cyclists in Austria, almost 70 per cent of all households in Austria own a bicycle and 231,000 bicycles were produced in the Alpine republic in 2023. To promote cycling, cycling tourism and the cycling industry, the cycling initiative Österreich dreht am Rad was launched five years ago.
"In 2025, we are celebrating a small, but very special anniversary. For five years now, we have been covering over 50 cycling events every year with our cameras as part of #ödar, reporting from all federal states on many regions that are committed to cycling and are delighted to have numerous partnerships in tourism and specialised retail. We want to celebrate these collaborations next week," explains project manager Martin Böckle
Hobby sport in Austria turns the wheel
There will be several live programmes and panel discussions this week. The motto for Tuesday (19 November) is "Passion & popular sport". In addition to the discussion forums, two live programmes will take centre stage: from 17:00, presenter Othmar Peer will discuss training methods from the past and present with Astana coach Helmut Dollinger, among others. At 19:00 there will be - Top in the Alps - the event check in the Alpine region. Johannes Hessenberger from the Neusiedlersee Cycle Marathon, Michael Keller from the Tannheimertal Cycle Marathon and Wörthersee Gravel organiser Julius Rupitsch will be among those discussing. Also invited are athletes such as two-time Ötztaler winner Jack Burke, Bianca Somavilla, winner of the Salzkammergut Trophy, and Philip Handl, winner of the Race Across the Alps.
Fabian Wegmann at Austria turns the wheel
On Wednesday (20 November), road cycling will take centre stage. Many athletes and officials will be discussing in the afternoon. From 14:00, the focus will be on the "dream job of a professional cyclist" with Lukas Pöstlberger, Anna Spielmann, Dominik Hödlmoser and Sebastian Putz, among others. The discussion "Where does domestic cycling stand" will follow at 3.15 pm. Team managers and riders from local teams and organisers will be represented as guests. At 5.00 pm Carina Schrempf, Elisa Winter, Tabea Huys and others will discuss the current situation in women's cycling.
From 19:00, the organisers will be inviting top-class international guests to the live studio in "Windschatten", the Tour of Austria magazine, to round off the day: Fabian Wegmann (Tour of Germany), Tour de Suisse boss Olivier Senn - who also organised the World Cycling Championships in Zurich - and Thomas Pupp, Tour Director of the Tour of Austria, discuss the challenges of the three major national tours in the roof space.
"I am delighted to be able to discuss the challenges of our cycling tours with my colleagues from Germany and Austria. We probably have similar requirements and can only benefit from each other," says Olivier Senn.
The closing event of the Österreich dreht am Rad Bike Days on Thursday (21 November) will focus on the #ödar2025 outlook.
Programme overview
- 19 November, 19:00: The event check in the Alpine region
- 20 November, 19:00: Slipstream - the 3 national tours
- 21 November, 16:00: Presentation Austria turns the wheel 2025
Kristian Bauer
Editor
