Majorca 312
No other race has managed to grow as quickly as the island race Mallorca 312 in April. This is undoubtedly due to the island's cycling appeal, prominent participants and financial support from the government: Minister of Sport Jaume Bauzà revealed that the 2025 edition of the everyman event was supported with 155,000 euros. That year, 8,500 starters were admitted for the first time - but the race was still sold out. On the 312-kilometre route, 2,629 participants crossed the finish line, while the 225-kilometre route attracted 1,973. However, the shortest lap was also the most popular: 3,171 riders rode from Platja de Muro to the Tramuntana mountains and back. The start list for the various distances included the names of ex-professionals such as Alejandro Valverde, Joseba Beloki, Miguel Indurain and Haimar Zubeldia Aguirre. This year's race was overshadowed by the death of a British participant.
- Next date 25 April 2026
Gran Fondo New York
The GFNY (Gran Fondo New York) racing series has firmly established itself in the calendar. The races are held all over the world, with events from the Bahamas to Bali and Mexico. The German race always takes place in Bremen in May. Those who qualified at one of the events were allowed to compete for the GFNY World title in New York in May. Belgian former pro Jan Bakelants was beaten in the final sprint by Italian Matteo Raimondi. France's Saure Tyffen came out on top in the women's race.
- Next date 17 May 2026
Vätternrundan
The Tour of Lake Vättern in June is one of the oldest and largest everyman events in the world: the 60th edition took place this year. The 315-kilometre ride around Lake Vättern is so well-known that a feature film about the cycling marathon was even released on Netflix in the anniversary year. Local legend Stig Johansson has been taking part since the premiere - as always, he started with wooden shoes, jeans and a tape recorder in the handlebar basket of his old steel bike. But in Sweden, too, the race is timed: The Swedish team Serneke Allebike set a new course record of 6:48:07 hours. To cover such a distance at 46 km/h was only possible thanks to sophisticated preparation. 23 cyclists took turns according to a predetermined plan - even the catering was precisely planned. 14,979 cyclists completed the long distance of the Vätternrundan as part of the cycling week - not all the rides went smoothly. For example, around 150 participants suffered a flat tyre after someone scattered nails around the municipality of Vadstena.
- Next date 12/13 June 2026
TOUR-Transalp
The TOUR-Transalp, which usually takes place in the second half of June, is Europe's oldest and most important stage race for amateur cyclists and yet, as an event for everyone, it is constantly reinventing itself. This year, for the first time, there was the option of taking part in three or four stages. Around 120 participants took advantage of one of the shortened variants - but the majority registered for the entire seven-stage route. The Stelvio Pass was the most famous climb on the TOUR-Transalp 2025 route map, but stage 6 was the real test of endurance. The Crocedomini was a tough climb right at the start, and the intense heat caused additional strain. At the finish in Riva del Garda, the joy over the finisher jerseys was as great as ever.
Next date 21 - 27 June 2026
Info www.tour-transalp.de
Three-country giro Nauders
The Stelvio Pass celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2025. The legendary pass road, which leads up to an altitude of 2,758 metres, has become a dream destination for cyclists. It's no wonder that the Dreiländergiro Nauders event for everyone was booked out so quickly at the end of June. Around 2,000 men and women rode the long distance of the Dreiländergiro to the finish line in glorious sunshine. The Austrian Marcel Summer was the fastest to complete the 168 kilometres and 3,300 metres in altitude in an impressive five hours. On the "Stelvio Vinschgau" circuit, 1,741 men and women completed the 120 kilometres and 3,000 metres of altitude. The time of the winner, Pascal Wiederhold from Germany, was 3:40 hours. The proportion of women was 8.4 per cent on the long loop and 16 per cent on the short loop - and both were won by a German rider: Julia Schallau won the Engadin loop and Lisa Hartung the Vinschgau loop. The starting places for 2026 have already been allocated - the event was fully booked in record time.
- Next date 28 June 2026
Maratona dles Dolomites
The Maratona dles Dolomites is still one of the world's most popular cycling marathons and events for everyone. This year, 7,970 participants crossed the finish line on one of the three routes at the beginning of July. Among them was the Italian Tour and Giro winner Vincenzo Nibali. He finished the middle distance in 62nd place, around 100 places ahead of Spanish cycling legend Miguel Indurain. The men's winner averaged 31.2 km/h over the 138 kilometres - incredible with 4,230 metres of climbing. In 2026, there will be more women's starting places for the first time.
- Next date 5 July 2026
Bike on the ring
Exactly 11,948 participants set a new record at the Nürburgring at the end of July for Rad am Ring. The event for everyone in the Eifel was accompanied by good weather - in the past, races have had to be cancelled due to bad weather. The 24-hour race is the heart of Rad am Ring - 6,300 men and women took part in this discipline. However, the race is now only held on the road throughout the night. After only 318 mountain bikers took part in 2024, the 24-hour off-road race was cancelled. From the German Cycling League to the amateur races and the time trial - organiser Hans-Martin Fraas has a whole range of formats on offer at the Nürburgring. New this year were the gravel races over 25, 50 or 100 kilometres - with still manageable starting fields: In the main race over 100 kilometres, 193 men and 20 women took to the course, while 189 men and 30 women took part in the other distances of the Gravel Race.
- Next date: 24-26 July
L'Étape du Tour
16,000 cyclists from 90 nations took part in the 33rd edition of L'Étape du Tour. This makes the event for everyone on an annually changing route of a Tour de France stage by far the largest cycling race in the Alps. German starter Stephanie Meder will remember her trip to Albertville particularly fondly: she won the women's race. The 131-kilometre route from Albertville to La Plagne on 20 July included five climbs with a total of 4,500 metres in altitude - significantly more than the professionals this time. Originally, the amateur race was supposed to follow the original route of the 19th stage of the Tour de France. However, due to an outbreak of a contagious cattle disease in the area around the Col des Saisies, the professionals were only able to ride 95 kilometres on their shortened stage. Charity campaigns are becoming increasingly important at the L'Étape du Tour. A group of participants collected 450,000 euros in donations for a French heart foundation. In 2026, the L'Étape du Tour will take place on 19 July, covering 170 kilometres from Le Bourg d'Oisans to Alpe d'Huez via Col de la Croix de Fer, Col du Telegraphe, Col du Galibier and the Col de Sarenne.
- Next date 19 July 2026
Ötztal Cycle Marathon
The Ötztaler had great weather luck this year: the day before, some snow had fallen in the mountains of the most popular everyman event. On race day it was dry and not too warm - perfect for top performances. The German Janine Meyer celebrated her third victory in a row and set a new course record in 7:22:32 hours. The battle for victory in the men's race was particularly exciting and ended with a double win for Tyrol. Daniel Federspiel celebrated his first victory in the traditional race after 6:48:55 hours. Local hero Jonas Holzknecht, just 20 years old, secured a place on the podium as the youngest runner-up in Ötztaler history. Professional cyclist Toni Palzer (formerly Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe) was so enthusiastic that he announced his participation for 2026.
- Next date 30 August 2026
Kristian Bauer
Editor
