The Ötztal Cycle Marathon has been organised in late summer for years. Event-related road closures led to numerous traffic obstructions and traffic jams in South Tyrol on a traditionally busy weekend. "As the organiser of a race of this size, we rely on the support of participants and partners along the route. That is why we have agreed in discussions to hold the Ötztal Cycle Marathon in July in future," explains Dominic Kuen, head of the organising committee, in a press release. This step fulfils the wish of South Tyrol to hold the "Ötztaler" on a weekend with less traffic. "By shifting the dates, we are creating a good basis for both regions. It is important to us to relieve the burden on local residents and businesses along the route and to find a solution together with the organising team of the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon that can be implemented in the long term if the traffic figures remain the same in July," said Martin Alber, Mayor of the South Tyrolean market town of Brenner.
The move into July also improves the conditions for the almost 4,000 participants who take on the sporting challenge year after year. Capricious weather conditions with snowfall on the mountain passes should no longer be a concern in future. Thanks to the longer days on the new date, earlier start times are also possible and the majority of amateur athletes can reach the finish in Sölden in daylight.
2022 will start earlier
Preparations are underway for the 41st edition on Sunday, 28 August 2022. The start time will be moved forward to 06:30 and the route near Sterzing will be changed to keep the main traffic routes (motorway access roads, local traffic, Penserjoch access road, Ridnauntal valley) clear.
At the northern entrance to Sterzing, cyclists leave the Brennerstraße and turn into the Kitzbühlerstraße; they take the Lahnstraße to Thuins and continue onto the Jaufenstraße, which they enter via the roundabout at the Sterzing dairy farm. Access to Jaufental, Ratschings and Ridnaun should be guaranteed.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
