The first Austria Top Tour race of 2024, the Neusiedlersee Cycle Marathon, starts in a fortnight' time. It takes place on 21 April and circumnavigates Lake Neusiedl from the municipality of Mörbisch on a 125-kilometre course in an anti-clockwise direction. The route is largely flat and often windy, which makes it a good fitness test after the cold winter months. The Neusiedler is also part of the UCI Gran Fondo World Series this year. This gives participants the chance to qualify for the "Grand Fondo World Championships" in Alborg at the end of August.
The Austria Top Tour season ticket 2024 is still available at a discount until 31 May. Purchasers of the ticket can change their booking to another marathon up to 14 days before the respective date without giving a reason. The ticket for three races costs 198 euros, which corresponds to an average price of 66 euros. If you buy the 6-race ticket, the individual price drops to 49 euros per marathon.
Dates of the Austria Top Tour 2024:
21.04.2024 Lake Neusiedl Cycling Marathon, Mörbisch
The start of the Austria Top Tour series is celebrated in Mörbisch. The route offers 600 metres of elevation gain spread over 125 kilometres. If you want, you can take part in the time trial the day before, outside of the series classification.
02.06.2024 Carinthia Cycle Marathon, Bad Kleinkirchheim
The traditional cycle marathon in Bad Kleinkirchheim offers challenging climbing passages: a total of 106 kilometres with an elevation gain of 2150 metres. Highlights include the alpine landscape of the Nockberge Biosphere Reserve and the Schiestlscharte and Eisentalhöhe mountain climbs as well as Lake Millstätter See. Since 2021, only the ascent times have been taken into account in the classification; participants below a certain "minimum time" are not counted.
Route A: 106 km - 3 climbs - 26.5 km / 1,792 vertical metres (time corridor for the entire route: 3:30 - 6:00h)
Route B: 49 km - 1 ascent - 11.9 km / 892 vertical metres
09.06.2024 Tour of the Dolomites by bike, Lienz
The Tour of the Dolomites is one of the oldest cycling marathons in Europe and offers a unique atmosphere. It combines amateur riders and ex-professionals, a popular festival atmosphere and a sporting challenge. The SupergiroDolomiti will not take place again until 2025.
Route data: 112 km / 1,850 m altitude difference
16.06.2024 5 Lakes Cycle Marathon, Mondsee
The 36th cycling marathon in picturesque Mondsee and the surrounding area takes you around the lakes of the Salzburger Land/Salzkammergut region. With over 2000 participants from more than 30 countries, the event is one of the biggest races in the country and on the Austria Top Tour. There are three marathon distances to choose from, as well as two special routes for handbikers.
Route C: 75 km / 400 m elevation gain
Route B: 140 km / 1400 altitude metres
Route A: 200 km / 2600 metres altitude
Off-road appointment: MTB or gravel bike
13.07.2024 Salzkammergut MTB Trophy / Gravel Marathon, Goisern
A special feature of the Austria Top Tour: today it's off the tarmac. The 67.6-kilometre gravel route is very similar to the Trophy C route, with the exception of the start loop in Obertraun and the steep climb to Hallstätter Salzberg. Two thirds of the route is on gravel or forest roads, one third on tarmac, making the route suitable for gravel, cross and cross-country bikes. In view of the 1952 metres of elevation gain, a gear ratio suitable for mountain biking is recommended.
19.07.2024 Ultra Rad Challenge, Kaindorf
The Ultra Rad Challenge will take place in Kaindorf, Eastern Styria, from 19 to 20 July 2024. Over 1000 participants are expected. There are cycling races over 24, 12, 6 and 3 hours in individual and team categories. The highlight is the 24-hour competition, but the 12-hour race is also popular. There are also races over three and six hours on an 18 kilometre circuit.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
