European Ultracycling Championships: Elena Roch and Dominik Meierhofer take the title

Hollabrunn-born Elena Roch continued her successful run in ultracycling last weekend. The 31-year-old secured the title at the European Championships, held for the first time as part of the Race Around Lower Austria (RAN). Roch completed the 750 kilometre route with 8,000 metres of elevation gain in a time of 26 hours and 38 minutes. With an average speed of 28.26 kilometres per hour, the Tyrolean by choice rode to her fourth RAN victory in total. The conditions at the seventh RAN presented the participants with special challenges. Constant rain and cold made the race a real ordeal. Roch was relieved after the race: "It was certainly one of the most difficult races in recent years due to the weather conditions. The big challenge was to plan the breaks well - what to wear and when, so as not to cool down completely," explained the newly crowned European champion.

Elena Roch pursues race tactics

Elena Roch rode a tactically clever race. "I organised the race very well and didn't overpace at the start. Then I got through the last night well and gave it my all again today," said the winner, describing her strategy in a press release. She managed to organise her strength well over the entire race distance. Last year, Roch hit the headlines and came into the media spotlight after she was involved in the Race Around Austria faster than all men was. She failed to achieve this feat at the Race Around Lower Austria: Roch finished fifth overall. In the women's race, she clearly outdistanced the competition. The second-placed lady, Lilian Kuster from Switzerland, only reached the finish line in Weitra in the Waldviertel four hours after Roch. Angelika Kuhn crossed the finish line in third place.

Elena Roch Season planning

For Elena Roch, the European Championship title at the RAN was an important milestone in her career. "European champion in ultracycling, that sounds wonderful," said the 31-year-old jubilantly. But the season is far from over for the exceptional athlete. There are more top-class competitions on her programme in the coming months. Firstly, Roch will be competing in the unsupported B-Hard race in Bosnia. This will be followed by the Austrian two-man team championships in Grieskirchen.

World Championships as the highlight of the season

Elena Roch is planning the absolute highlight of her season for 11 August 2025, when the Ultra Cycling World Championships will take place as part of the Race Around Austria. After winning the Race Around Austria last year, where she even left all of her male competitors behind, Roch is also one of the favourites for the World Championships. With the European Championship title behind her, Roch will be highly motivated as she prepares for this major event.

Meierhofer wins the men's race

Dominik Meierhofer from Salzburg was the fastest on the tough European Championship course. He fought a duel with the German Daniel Steinhauser over the first 600 kilometres. "But after 15 hours of rain and 4 degrees, the fun was over. My whole body was shaking and my chin was shaking uncontrollably. So we had to stop to wrap me up better - briefly, but decisively. The gap opened up - and I was no longer able to close it," Steinhauser revealed the race-deciding moment on Instagram. Over the final 150 kilometres, Meierhofer pulled out a lead of 23 minutes and crossed the finish line in first place after 23 hours and 47 minutes. Meierhofer was the only participant to stay under the one-day mark. This corresponds to an average speed of 31.64 km/h over the 750 kilometres with 8,000 metres of climbing. The German ultra-cyclist Steinhauser followed after 24 hours and 10 minutes. The third rider, Sebastian Mayr, also comes from Germany.