Race Across Austria 2026: Strasser to compete in the Ultracycling European Championships

The Race Across Austria East to West starts on 25 August 2026 in Nickelsdorf and serves as the unsupported Ultracycling European Championship. The route takes riders over numerous Alpine passes to Feldkirch and reaches its highest point on the Edelweißspitze at 2,571 metres. Here, on the climb up to the Großglockner, there is also a special classification. Participants ride without support vehicles or support teams, in accordance with the rules of self-supported ultracycling. The riders organise their own sleep, food, navigation and all strategic decisions.

Ultracycling European Championships over the ‘Königsdistanz’

The 1,000-kilometre main route, with more than 16,000 metres of elevation gain, serves as the venue for the WUCA European Championships in unsupported ultracycling. Christoph Strasser leads the Austrian field at the Ultracycling European Championships. The six-time winner of the Race Across America and multiple world record holder is among the favourites for the European title. Dominik Mayerhofer, reigning European champion in supported ultracycling and third-placed finisher in the 2024 Race Across America, will also be competing. In the women’s category, Anna Bachmann, national champion and multiple title holder, is among the most promising Austrian competitors. Switzerland’s Bianca Fach is also regarded as a particularly strong contender given her track record.

The international field features some strong riders. Stefan Fettes from Germany is defending his title as the reigning European champion in unsupported ultracycling. Robert Müller from Germany has already won the Race Across Austria several times and has enjoyed international success in the unsupported discipline. Jakub Tomasik from Poland holds the title of 2024 World Champion in unsupported ultracycling and would certainly love to win the European Unsupported Ultracycling Championships. Michael Mayer from Germany won the RACA1000 North–South 2025 in 43 hours. Bianca Fach from Switzerland won the RACA East to West 2025. The race can be followed via a Live tracking be pursued.

Two distances and a special classification

The RACA1000 Adventure sets off from Nickelsdorf on 25 August 2026, followed by the RACA1000 Race – featuring the favourites’ start for the European Ultracycling Championships – on 26 August. A second race, the RACA500, is also on the programme. Starting on 27 August in Kötschach-Mauthen, the route covers 500 kilometres and 10,000 metres of elevation gain, also finishing in Feldkirch.

The ‘Glockner Man’ and ‘Glockner Woman’ special classifications determine the fastest woman and the fastest man between Heiligenblut and the Edelweißspitze. The competition is organised in collaboration with RACA partner Wiesbauer Wurstspezialitäten. The first runners are expected to cross the finish line in the evenings from 27 August at the Montforthaus in Feldkirch. The prize-giving ceremony will take place on Saturday 29 August from 6.30 pm at the Montforthaus.

Climbs at the European Ultracycling Championships

The Großglockner High Alpine Road is a highlight of the route. However, there are other climbs to tackle:

• Semmering Pass (965 m) – the classic gateway to the mountains
• Sölk Pass (1,788 m) – wild, rugged and beautiful
• Turracher Höhe (1,795 m) – a high plateau straight out of a picture book
• Windische Höhe (1,110 m) – winding, fast, unmistakable
• Kartitscher Saddle (1,525 m) – a panorama you’ll never forget
• Iselsberg Pass (1,209 m) – the gateway to East Tyrol
• Großglockner – Hochtor (2,504 m) – the king of Alpine roads, and right next to it:
• Edelweißspitze (2,571 m) – cobbled path, steep, epic
• Gerlos Pass (1,628 m) – with a view of the Krimml Waterfalls
• Kühtai Pass (2,017 m) – high-altitude and challenging
• Hahntennjoch (1,894 m) – narrow, spectacular, unforgettable
• Hochtannberg (1,678 m) – a pass straight out of a painting
• Faschinajoch (1,486 m) – the last major climb before the final stretch

After the final climb, the route reaches the westernmost point of Austria and leads to the finish.