The alpine mountain race on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road attracted more starters than ever before. Riders from Germany were particularly successful: they finished on the podium at all distances. The 27.3-kilometre route with 1,672 metres of elevation gain from the centre of Bruck to Fuscher Törl presented the athletes with one of the most demanding challenges on the cycling calendar. The ultra participants also completed seven hairpin bends on cobblestones up to the Edelweißspitze, the highest passable point in the Alps.
A charity mountain time trial organised by Volkshilfe Salzburg took place for the first time on Saturday. The event combined sporting performance with social commitment and marked the start of the race weekend. The cloudy morning on Sunday gave way to increasingly sunny weather over the course of the day, which set the scene for the high mountain scenery.
Glockner King decision in the final metres
The field started at 7 a.m. in the centre of Bruck. Right from the start, the race was characterised by high speeds and early attacks. The field quickly spread out, while the groups became smaller with every metre of altitude. The strongest riders pulled away at the front and fought a close battle for the fastest time of the day.
Quirin Haidl from Germany took part in the Glocknerkönig for the first time. The Austrian Rene Pammer led the race for a long time and seemed to be on his way to victory. However, Haidl caught up in the final metres and crossed the finish line 14.5 seconds ahead of Pammer. With his time of 1:14:17.3 hours, Haidl beat the record set by Roland Stauder in 2005 by 58 seconds. Pammer crossed the finish line after 1:14:31.8 hours and was satisfied with his performance despite the narrow defeat. Simon Oppel from Austria completed the podium in third place.
Haidl explained after the race that he had always kept an eye on Pammer and tried to maintain his own rhythm. The victory in the final metres made the success particularly valuable for him.
Meyer improves his own record at the Glocknerkönig
Janine Meyer from Germany entered the race as a multiple winner and defending champion. The favourite justified her role with a time of 1:24:22.5 hours and improved her own course record by 20.4 seconds. Austria's Melanie Geiger took second place, with Luzia Meister from Germany in third.
Geiger was surprised by her second place. She was completely exhausted at the finish and had never expected this result. She described the placing as her greatest sporting success to date. Meyer emphasised the special significance of the Glocknerkönig and her joy at winning again on the Fuscher Törl.
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Ultra rating for the Edelweißspitze
The ultra participants rode from Fuscher Törl up another seven hairpin bends on historic cobblestones to the Edelweißspitze at 2,571 metres. The final ascent demanded everything from the athletes once again after the 27.3 kilometres they had already completed.
Frederik Niessen from Germany won the men's ultra classification in 1:22:16.7 hours. On his debut on the Glocknerkönig, he pulled away decisively on the final ascent. The victory had a special meaning for Niessen: at the age of 16, the Grossglockner was the first pass he had ever ridden. The success closed a circle for him. Adrien Legriffon from France and Thomas Kronsteiner from Austria followed in second and third place.
Julia Jedelhauser from Germany dominated the women's ultra classification. With her time of 1:33:48.8 hours, she set a new course record and secured the title of Glockner Queen Ultra 2026. Julia Sörgel from Austria and Daniela Traxl-Pintarelli, also from Austria, completed the podium. Jedelhauser had not expected this result from the start, but was delighted with her victory on the Edelweissspitze.
Record attendance at the Glocknerkönig
With 3,000 starters from 37 nations, the event set a new record for the number of participants. Simone Höller, Managing Director of the Bruck Fusch Grossglockner Tourist Board, was delighted with the enormous popularity of the event. The record shows the importance of the Glocknerkönig in the international cycling scene. She thanked all the helpers, emergency organisations, partners and spectators for their support.
Next year, the Glocknerkönig celebrates its 30th anniversary. Registration for the anniversary edition will open in December. Information about the event is available at www.glocknerkoenig.at as well as on Instagram and Facebook.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
