From 28 to 31 August 2025, Sölden will host the 45th Ötztaler Cycle Marathon. The event comprises a three-day programme featuring a trade fair, a charity race and the main race over four Alpine passes. The race will start on 30 August at 6.30 am at the BP petrol station.
Bike Expo Ötztal Cycle Marathon
The “Ötztaler Sattelfest” bike expo opens on Friday 28 August from 10.00 am to 8.00 pm on the forecourt and in the sports hall of the Freizeit Arena. Visitors can find out about the latest cycling products and trends. At the same time, starter packs will be handed out to all participants in the cycle marathon. On Saturday 29 August, the expo will be open again from 9.00 am to 6.30 pm.
Bike4Help Prologue to the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon
The Bike4Help Prologue takes place on Friday between 3.00 pm and 6.00 pm. The hill sprint covers one kilometre and 105 metres of elevation gain in individual time trial format. A maximum of 200 riders can take part. The entry fee is 25 euros per person. All net proceeds will go to the Bike4Help organisation, which supports families in need in Tyrol. Organising Committee Chairman Dominic Kuen emphasises the event’s social aspect. The prize-giving ceremony will take place from 7.30 pm in the sports hall at the Freizeit Arena. Jonas Holzknecht, two-time winner and course record holder from last year, will be competing once again.
Live podcast: Ötztaler Cycle Marathon
On Saturday at 4.30 pm, the ÖRM Live Podcast will take place in the sports hall at the Freizeit Arena. Host Marco Brugger will be talking to Urban Gstrein and Anna Maria Klocker about stories, people and emotions surrounding the cycle marathon. Anna Maria Klocker works as a personal trainer and mountain guide. She will shed light on the perspective of the female participants. Urban Gstrein has completed the cycle marathon several times and brings a wealth of experience to the discussion. Brugger explains that these different perspectives make the topic of the cycle marathon more accessible to listeners. At 6.00 pm, the riders’ briefing for the more than 4,000 participants will take place. The organisers will announce the final important details for race day. The briefing will be broadcast live online and on LED screens around the Freizeit Arena.
Race day with live coverage
ÖRM TV will be broadcasting the race live on Sunday from 6.15 am to 9.30 pm. Spectators can watch the broadcast along the route and around the Freizeit Arena. Between 5.30 am and 9.30 am, there will be a Specialized Cheering Zone at the Kühtai Dorfstadl. The race will start at 6.30 am at the BP petrol station. A cannon shot fired by the Sölden Rifle Company will mark the start of the race. The route takes the riders via Kühtai, Brenner, the Jaufen Pass and the Timmelsjoch back to Sölden.
Supporting programme for spectators
During the race, a children’s programme will take place from 11.00 to 16.00 on the forecourt of Ötztal Tourismus. At 12.00, unicycling artist David Weichenberger will put on a show and run a workshop. From 1.15 pm, the first finishers are expected to arrive at the Freizeit Arena. The fastest woman is expected to cross the finish line at around 2.00 pm. The Recovery Zone by Reboots will be available from 2.00 pm to 7.00 pm to help finishers recover. The final participants are expected to cross the finish line at around 8.15 pm. A short celebration will take place in the finish area at 8.35 pm. The official prize-giving ceremony in the Freizeit Arena sports hall will honour the top athletes. The last finisher will be escorted to the prize-giving ceremony to a round of applause.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
