The 44th Ötztal Cycle Marathon attracts over 4,000 participants from 40 nations to the Ötztal. The event is considered the most important cycling marathon in Europe and officially covers 227 kilometres and 5,500 metres in altitude. The elite field is particularly strong this year: six former winners will be competing in the men's race, including Jack Burke (Canada/2024, 2022), Johnny Hoogerland (Netherlands/2021), Stefano Cechini (Italy/2017), Bernd Hornetz (Germany/2016) and the Austrians Markus Kremser (1991) and Ekkehard Dörschlag (1986, 1987, 1988, 1989). In the women's race, Janine Meyer (Germany/2023, 2024), Catherine Rossmann (Germany/2022), Monika Dietl (Germany/2013) and Brigitte Vasselai (Italy/1999) will be returning as four former winners. For most of the 4,000 participants, however, the focus is not on the battle for the top places, but on the personal goal of completing the challenging course. If you are not on site, you can follow the race on Sunday from 6.15 am to around 9.30 pm in the livestream (above).
Ötztaler Cycle Marathon: Programme from Friday
The event starts on Friday with the third live broadcast of Ötztaler Radmarathon TV (ÖRM TV). The favourites and celebrities such as ski mountaineer Sarah Dreier and ex-biathlete Simon Eder are expected from 18:30. On Saturday, 30 August, the Bike Expo opens with the start number distribution from 9:00 to 20:00. A special highlight will follow at 16:30 with the live broadcast of Marco Brugger's podcast in the Freizeit Arena sports hall. He will be welcoming Jana Kesenheimer and Olympic snowboarding champion Benjamin Karl as guests. Jana Kesenheimer finished this year's Transcontinental Race in 12 days, 3 hours 32 minutes: first woman, eighth overall. The official riders' briefing will take place at 18:00, which can be followed both on site and via live stream. Comprehensive support for the participants will be provided by a team of 1,300 helpers who will secure the route, provide catering and ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Ötztaler Cycle Marathon favourites among the men
The starting shot for the 44th Ötztal Cycle Marathon will be fired on Sunday, 31 August at 06:30 with the traditional cannon shot from the Sölden rifle company. The route leads over four challenging passes: Kühtai, Brenner, Jaufenpass and Timmelsjoch. The winner is expected to cross the finish line at 13:15. Canadian Jack Burke, who lives in Tyrol, is the top favourite and is aiming for a hat-trick after his victories in 2022 and 2024. "The season has gone very well so far and the Ötztaler is my home race. I feel strong and the preparation was perfect," explains Burke. However, he warns: "There are a lot of big names at the start this year, so I'm betting on an outsider victory. A lot of people will be watching us and making up a lot of time before the decisive mountains."
Strong competition for the defending champions
One of Burke's strongest challengers is Dutchman Johnny Hoogerland, winner of 2021 and UCI amateur and gravel world champion. "There are many favourites, in such a tough race everything just has to go right. But there are young, hungry riders coming through every year. That's why it's becoming increasingly difficult to achieve a top result at the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon," says the 42-year-old. Hans-Jörg Leopold from Carinthia is another serious contender for the podium at the start. The 42-year-old former pro finished second behind Burke and Hoogerland in 2024 and 2021, and narrowly missed out on the podium in 2022 and 2023 in fourth place. However, he is tempering his expectations for this year: "My expectations for this year are not too high. I rate myself between fifth and tenth place."
Ötztaler Cycle Marathon local hopes
Three-time MTB marathon world champion Alban Lakata is also among the favourites. The East Tyrolean still has a score to settle with the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon: After two fourth places, one second and one third place, he is still missing the overall victory. "This victory is still the big goal. The preparation this year went almost perfectly. So fire away on Sunday!" says Lakata with a fighting spirit. Former MTB Eliminator World Champion Daniel Federspiel is also far from being an old hand at the age of 38. The rider from Imst has won every edition of the Bike4Help mountain sprint in which he has taken part and has finished in the top ten of the overall standings three times with fifth, sixth and seventh place. "The sprint is a really great event, but I'd rather save my energy for Sunday this year," explains Federspiel, who is not taking part in the mountain sprint this year.
Women's field with a clear favourite
Janine Meyer from Germany is the clear favourite in the women's race. Last year, she delivered an impressive performance at the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon: With a start-to-finish victory, she set a new course record with a time of 7:26.26.8 hours and claimed her second triumph after 2023. Her fiercest rival is likely to be her compatriot Catherine Rossmann, who won the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon in 2022. From a local perspective, two athletes could make it into the top 20: Daniela Kneisl and Marie-Theres Gurschler from the co-organising club URC Ötztal, two women who already rode under nine hours last year, will be at the start. Heike Klotz from the organising committee is pleased about the growing participation of women: "In general, it is very pleasing that more and more women are enthusiastic racing cyclists. This year, more than 400 women will be at the start - almost ten per cent of the entire starting field and therefore an increase of around 18 per cent compared to last year."
Prominent participants
In addition to the cycle marathon specialists, this year again Prominent sportswomen and athletes from other disciplines took part. Last year, former top skier Manfred Moelgg surprised everyone with a fantastic time of 7:46.59.9 hours. The South Tyrolean finished just one hour behind winner Jack Burke in 96th place overall. This year Moelgg will once again compete with his compatriot Werner Heel. Olympic snowboarding champion Benjamin Karl is aiming for a time of around eight hours, while ski mountaineer Sarah Dreier is celebrating her premiere at the Ötztal Cycle Marathon. On race day itself, the 15-hour ÖRM TV live stream will start at 06:15. Unicycle artist David Weichenberger will provide entertainment with a show and workshop from 12:00 noon. Between 11:00 and 16:00 there will be extensive activities for children and young people at the Ötztal Tourismus office building. An emotional highlight is expected at around 8.30 pm when the last group is escorted to Sölden and welcomed by the spectators.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
