Ötztaler Cycle Marathon: OC team testing the course

Over the last two days, the organisers of the Ötztal Cycle Marathon completed the entire route on their bikes. The OC team saw the challenging route for themselves, which will once again be tackled by over 4,000 men and women on 1 September 2024, including well-known ski racers. "Some of us have completed the route over the Kühtai, Brenner and Jaufen Passes and the Timmelsjoch for the first time by bike. That gives you a whole new perspective and you realise what we could perhaps do better from an organisational point of view. During the two days, we discussed a lot about safety and refreshment stations and want to improve the cycling marathon every year," says organising committee head Dominic Kuen.

According to the press release, one of these improvements relates to the digital transformation. The ÖRM app was introduced last year and further optimised this year. A new feature is the "Ötztaler Cycle Marathon Podcast - Ride hard & dream on". There is a free and guarded bike garage to pick up the start pack on foot or by bike, and there is also a shuttle service before the start.

Ski racers at the start

The Ötztal Cycle Marathon with start and finish in Sölden is booming, according to the press release. Almost 22,000 registrations were recorded in January 2024. The starting places, which were allocated by lottery, are limited to 4,000 participants. Ski racers Thomas Dreßen, Manfred Mölgg and Werner Heel also want to conquer the Ötztal Cycle Marathon.

Route Ötztal Cycle Marathon

Starting and finishing in Sölden, the route leads over 5500 metres of altitude difference through partly high alpine (up to 2474 m) locations in Tyrol (Austria) and South Tyrol (Italy). From the start in Sölden, the route leads downhill to Oetz (800m) and then up to Kühtai (2020m). After the extremely fast descent to Kematen, the route heads towards Innsbruck (600m) and on to the Brenner Pass (1377m). The descent to Sterzing (960m) offers relaxation before heading up to the Jaufenpass (2090m). After the descent to St. Leonhard in the Passeier Valley (700m), the Timmelsjoch (2474m) is the last major hurdle before the finish in Sölden (1377m).