The cycle marathon, which had been fully booked for months, ran from St. Anton am Arlberg over the Arlberg Pass through the Klostertal and Montafon valleys, up through the Ganifertal valley to the Kops Reservoir, and back via the Paznaun and Stanzertal valleys to the finish. Under a brilliant blue sky, the riders set off in five groups through the town centre. 88.1 per cent of the starters were men and 11.9 per cent women. There was a particularly high number of young participants. The age groups were dominated by those born between 1993 and 2009. Participants from Germany formed the largest group by far, with 649 men and women. Local participants came in second place.
Nation rankings – participants
- Germany: 871 (61.5 per cent)
- Austria: 392 (27.7 per cent)
- Switzerland: 59 (4.2 per cent)
- Netherlands: 27 (1.9 per cent)
- Belgium: 20 (1.4 per cent)
Race itinerary for the Arlberg Giro 2026
After the joint start, the climb to the Arlberg Pass presented the first challenge of the day. Large groups were still riding together as far as Partenen. As the route branched off into the narrow Ganifertal valley, the gradient steepened, the peloton stretched out and the favourites took the lead. Last year’s runner-up, Eva Schien from Germany, took the lead as early as the climb and proved herself to be a strong climber. At the intermediate time check in Partenen after 72 kilometres, she was ahead of Melanie Geiger from Vorarlberg. Some way behind them came two-time Arlberg Giro winner Julia Schallau, Birgit Stegmeier, six-time record winner Daniela Traxl-Pintarelli and two-time ‘Queen of the Mountain’ Corina Pichler.
Schien extended her lead and was the fastest woman to reach the mountain classification at the Kops Reservoir. The two-time winner of the Dolomites Cycle Tour thus secured the title of ‘Queen of the Mountain’. For a long time, the race appeared to be firmly under her control. However, Geiger refused to be shaken off and kept the gap to a minimum. In the fast-riding Paznaun Valley, the rider from Vorarlberg began to close the gap.
Geiger strikes on the final climb
Before the long final climb from Pians back to St. Anton am Arlberg, Geiger caught up with Schien once again. A battle for the stage victory ensued between the German rider, who had led for much of the race, and her Austrian pursuer. In the final kilometres, Geiger had the greater reserves of energy. She pulled away from Schien and celebrated victory at the Arlberg Giro.
Following her third place in the St. Anton Night Sprint and second place in the mountains classification, Geiger was delighted to be awarded the title of “Hero of the Arlberg”. Schien crossed the finish line in second place and capped off her strong performance by winning the mountains classification. Julia Schallau completed the podium. Behind them, Daniela Traxl-Pintarelli and Corina Pichler finished in fourth and fifth place respectively.
Pammer is setting the pace in the men’s event
René Pammer, who finished third last year, took the lead early on. The Upper Austrian amateur mountain champion and winner of numerous major cycling marathons set the pace on the route through the Ganifertal valley and up to the Kops Reservoir. At the mountain classification at the Kops Reservoir after 78.3 kilometres, Pammer was ahead of Miguel Brugger, Simon Betz, Christian Oberngruber and Sebastian Breuer. He thus secured the title of ‘King of the Mountain’.
Behind him, a high-calibre chasing group formed: SuperGiroDolomiti winner Miguel Brugger, Gran Fondo specialist Simon Betz, Austrian cycling marathon champion in the M35–39 category Christian Oberngruber and ultra-distance ace Sebastian Breuer kept the chase alive. On the rapid descent after the Kops reservoir, Dutch rider Juul Hendrikx also managed to catch up. The chasers worked well together in the Paznaun Valley and at times reduced the gap to Pammer to half a minute.
Arlberg Giro decision
Before the long final climb from Pians back to St. Anton am Arlberg, the race was by no means decided. The chasing pack were only a few hundred metres behind and were keeping the pressure on. As the road began to climb again, Pammer showed his strength on the mountain. On the stretch through Strengen, he picked up the pace once more. The Upper Austrian had paced himself well and confidently held on to his solo lead right to the finish.
Behind him, the order was shaken up once again in the final kilometres. Christian Oberngruber, who had tactically wisely stayed at the back of the chasing group for much of the race, dug deep on the final climb and crossed the line in second place. Sebastian Breuer secured third place. Behind him came Simon Betz and Juul Hendrikx.
Arlberg Giro 2026 results
WOMEN
- Melanie Geiger | AUT | Lexxi Racing | 3:59:44.1
- Eva Schien | GER | Gaimersheim Cycling Team | 3:59:44.1
- Julia Schallau | GER | BikesnBoards Wetzlar, Curingshot | 4:03:35.5
- Daniela Traxl-Pintarelli | AUT | Team PopEyes Portixol Group | 4:05:19.4
- Corina Pichler | AUT | no team specified | 4:07:31.8
MEN'S
- Rene Pammer | AUT | next125 Hackl Lebensräume | 3:38:31.5
- Christian Oberngruber | AUT | next125 Hackl Lebensräume | 3:40:54.8
- Sebastian Breuer | GER | no team specified | 3:41:22.0
- Simon Betz | GER | Baldiso Racing Squad | 3:41:22.3
- Juul Hendrikx | NED | Jegg skil djr | 3:41:22.6
CLIMB CLASSIFICATIONS
King of the Mountain: Rene Pammer | AUT | next125 Hackl Lebensräume | 00:24:38.34
Queen of the Mountain: Eva Schien | GER | Radsport Team Gaimersheim | 00:30:32.65
Hero of the Arlberg – Men: Simon Betz | GER | Baldiso Racing Squad
Hero of the Arlberg – Women: Melanie Geiger | AUT | Lexxi Racing
Three days of racing in St. Anton
With the St. Anton Night Sprint on Friday, the International Cycling Criterium on Saturday and the Arlberg Giro on Sunday, St. Anton am Arlberg showcased different facets of road cycling over three days. The VibeCycling Women’s Cycling Camp with Elena Roch, group rides, the expo area and a supporting programme complemented the sporting events. The prize-giving ceremony in front of the Tourist Board marked the end of a weekend that brought together professionals, ambitious amateurs and cycling fans. Simon Betz was named ‘Hero of the Arlberg’ alongside Melanie Geiger.
Kristian Bauer
Editor