Ötztal Cycle Marathon over four mountain giants
In perfect weather conditions of around ten degrees Celsius, the starting signal for the 227-kilometre classic in the Alps was given at 6:30 am in Sölden. The route led over 5500 metres in altitude through North and South Tyrol over the four high mountains Kühtai, Brenner and Jaufenpass and finally the 29 kilometre long Timmelsjoch awaited.
The pace was relatively high in both the men's and women's Ötztal Cycling Marathon over the Kühtai and the Brenner Pass. The race then became really exciting on the climb to the Jaufen Pass. While the German Helmut Trettwer, who had been in the lead for a long time, managed to escape over the Jaufenpass and was caught at the start of the Timmelsjoch, three riders in particular made their mark on the race: Eliminator world champion Daniel Federspiel, MTB marathon world champion Alban Lakata and Federspiel's team-mate Jack Burke.
Canadian Burke wins the men's race
The Canadian showed on the 29 kilometre Timmelsjoch in fantastic weather that he will not be beaten on the mountain today at the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon. With a lead of several minutes, he tackled the last descent to Sölden as a soloist and celebrated a great victory. Behind him, Tyrolean Dominik Salcher provided the surprise of the race: he overtook Lakata and Federspiel on the final kilometres up the mountain and finished in second place. Third place went to Alban Lakata.
The lucky winner was 27-year-old Jack Burke with a winning time of 7:10.13 hours, who landed roughly on the tarmac after his victory celebration due to a broken saddle. "The race was brutal, even for the equipment," he grinned after the Ötztal Cycle Marathon. "Fortunately, the crash only happened after the finish line. It was a great race for me today. From the Timmelsjoch onwards, I knew that victory was possible. I also have great respect for Dominik Salcher, who rode extremely well!"
Ötztaler Cycle Marathon 2022: Results for the men
- Jack Burke 7:10.13
- Dominik Salcher 7:13.18
- Alban Lakata 7:13.21
- Hans-Jörg Leopold 7:15.48
- Daniel Federspiel 7:16.06
Rossmann wins in the women's category
In the women's race, three riders were in hot pursuit up to the Jaufenpass before the German Catherine Rossmann made a first advance decision. The winner of this year's TOUR Transalp was clearly minutes ahead of the Italian Samantha Arnaudo. Martha Maltha from the Netherlands followed in third place with a respectful gap. This is how the podium finally looked in Sölden at the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon: Catherine Rossmann won with a time of 8:04.34 hours ahead of Samantha Arnaudo (ITA/plus 6:08 min.) and Martha Maltha (NED/plus 8:58 min.).
Catherine has already won the Tour Transalp this year. "But winning here at the Ötztaler is the biggest success for me, because the competition was very strong. The race was a dream - especially the picturesque backdrop in the mountains and the many spectators," beamed the 33-year-old after her first Ötztaler.
Ötztaler Cycle Marathon 2022: Results for the women
- Catherine Rossmann 8:04.34
- Samantha Arnaudo 8:10.42
- Martha Maltha 8:13.33
- Monika Fritz 8:27.44
- Ils Van der Moeren 8:30.16
Different date, same challenge. From 2023, the Ötztal Cycle Marathon held at the start of summer. "In future, the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon will take place on the second Sunday in July," explains Dominic Kuen. The date for the 42nd edition has already been set: Sunday, 9 July 2023, which means that the registration phase for the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon 2023 will already take place from 1 - 30 November.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
