Kühtai, Brenner Pass, Jaufen Pass and Timmelsjoch with an official altitude difference of 5,500 metres await the participants of the 41st Ötztal Cycle Marathon on 28 August. 4,000 starting places have been allocated - how many will actually be at the start in Sölden will also depend on the weather. Friends, family members and fans follow the fascination of the Ötztaler along the route: there are several places along the 227 kilometre distance where you can get a particularly good view of the action: First and foremost, of course, the start of the race in Sölden, when the pack sets off. The Kühtai then offers a perfect warm-up with the initial metres in altitude and already reveals the first favourites. This year, the route runs along the Sellrain via Grinzens and Axams to Kematen and Völs and on to Innsbruck, passing the Egger-Lienz road to the Grassmayr junction before the climb continues towards Brenner. This section of the route is particularly popular with cyclists from the Innsbruck area thanks to the public transport connections. If you want to experience the most challenging section of the "Ötztaler" live, position yourself on the Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road, affectionately known by Italians as "il mostro", the monster. Last but not least, the finishing straight guarantees great impressions of hard-won metres in altitude and emotions in the crowd.
Ötztaler Cycle Marathon livestream
Anyone who is unable to be on site can follow the race online: the live broadcast will be available at www.oetztaler-radmarathon.com/livestream aired.
When around 4,000 participants from over 30 nations start in Sölden next Sunday, there will be two favourites in the men's and women's races: last year's winners Johnny Hoogerland and Christina Rausch. Numerous celebrities will also be at the centre of attention: Snowboard crack Benjamin Karl, Andreas Goldberger, multiple MTB marathon world champion Alban Lakata, MTB eliminator world champion Daniel Federspiel, ex-professional cyclist Rene Haselbacher and former ski jumper Martin Koch will be taking to the course.
Bike 4 help Prologue
The marathon weekend in the Ötztal starts this coming Friday with the "Bike 4 Help" prologue, a mountain time trial over 1.1 kilometres with start in Sölden. The race starts at 3.00 pm and alongside the limited starting field of 200 participants, consisting of Ötztaler Cycling Marathon starters, Florian Lipowitz, stagiaire with the top team BORA - hansgrohe, will open the race with a neutral start number. Florian rode for the Tirol KTM Cycling Team for three years before recently signing a trial contract with the top German team. Eliminator world champion Daniel Federspiel will also be taking part. The net proceeds from the event will go to charity.
The route of the Ötztal Cycle Marathon
Start in Sölden at 6.30 am. Mostly downhill to Oetz (800 m). Then up to Kühtai (2,020 m). Descent to Sellrain via Grinzens and Axams to Kematen and on towards Innsbruck (600 m). Uphill to the Brenner Pass (1,377 m). Take a short breather and descend to Sterzing (960 m). Slight adjustment of the route here. A nice even climb up to the Jaufenpass (2,090 m). Descend carefully to St. Leonhard in the Passeier Valley (700 m) and then the grand finale to the Timmelsjoch (2,474 m). Dream destination: Sölden (1,377 m).
The mountain passages
Warm-up Oetz - Kühtai: 18.5 km; 1200 altitude metres; refreshment station at total kilometre 51; keep Innsbruck - Brenner: 39 km; 777 altitude metres; refreshment station at total kilometre 127; Antasten Sterzing - Jaufenpass: 15.5 km; 1130 altitude metres; refreshment station at total kilometre 161; Schicksalsberg St. Leonhard - Timmelsjoch 28.7 km; 1724 altitude metres; refreshment stations at total kilometres 201 and 209.
Ötztal Cycle Marathon 2023
From 2023, the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon will be held in July instead of August. The date for next year has already been set: 9 July 2023.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
