Race Across Austria 2026 with European Ultracycling Championships

In 2026, the Race Across Austria (RACA) will once again offer two separate events that will present ultra-cycling enthusiasts with extreme challenges. The race series includes the RACA North-South from 16 to 20 June and the RACA East to West from 25 to 29 August. Both events offer different route lengths and altitude profiles, with two variants to choose from for all distances: Adventure for beginners with more time buffer and Race for experienced ultra-cyclists. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that the RACA East to West 2026, the European Unsupported Ultracycling Championships of the World Ultracycling Association (WUCA) will be held. In addition to the classic Road race there are also special gravel categories at both events, which offer additional challenges on unpaved roads.

>> Michael Mayer wins Race Across Austria 2025

>> Ultracycling World Championship 2025: Steinberger and Roch take victory in the Race Around Austria

>> 5 game changers for bikepacking and ultracycling

>> Van Rysel EDR CF Ultra: Endurance road bike for cycling marathons and ultracycling

Race Across Austria North-South: From the northernmost to the southernmost tip of Austria

The RACA North-South will take participants to the geographical extremes of Austria from 16 to 20 June 2026. The route connects the northernmost and southernmost points as well as the centre of the country and leads through spectacular mountain landscapes and picturesque regions. The start and finish are at the Hofmann Personalstadion in Linz. The event offers four different distances: The longest distance RACA1000 covers 1000 kilometres with 14,000 metres of elevation gain and must be completed within 112 hours (Adventure) or 88 hours (Race), depending on the chosen category. The RACA700 covers 700 kilometres with 10,000 metres of altitude and a time limit of 76 hours (Adventure) or 64 hours (Race). For newcomers to ultracycling, there is the RACA500 with 500 kilometres and 7,000 metres of altitude (time limit: 60 hours/48 hours) and the RACA300 with 300 kilometres and 4,000 metres of altitude (time limit: 30 hours/24 hours).

Gravel Ultra at the North-South Event

In addition to the classic road race, the RACA North-South also offers two gravel categories, which have been specially designed for riders of gravel bikes. The Gravel Ultra300 covers 300 kilometres with 5000 metres of elevation gain and must be completed within 33 hours (Adventure) or 27 hours (Race). The more demanding Gravel Ultra500 covers 500 kilometres with 8,000 metres of altitude with a time limit of 63 hours (Adventure) or 52 hours (Race). Compared to the road distances, the gravel routes have the same number of kilometres but more metres in altitude and the additional challenge of the surface.

Race Across Austria East to West: From Burgenland to Vorarlberg

The second major event of the year, the RACA East to West, will take place from 25 to 29 August 2026 and will take participants right across Austria. The route starts at the easternmost point of the country in Nickelsdorf in Burgenland and ends at the westernmost point in Feldkirch in Vorarlberg. Along the way, the riders cross some of the most spectacular mountains and pass through some of Austria's most impressive regions. A special highlight is the special classification on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, where the fastest rider is honoured on the Edelweissspitze. The main distance RACA1000 covers 1000 kilometres with 16,000 metres of altitude and must be completed within 112 hours (Adventure) or 88 hours (Race). The shorter RACA500 covers 500 kilometres with 10,000 metres of altitude and a time limit of 60 hours (Adventure) or 48 hours (Race).

European Unsupported Ultracycling Championships

A special highlight of the Race Across Austria East to West 2026 is the organisation of the European Unsupported Ultracycling Championships of the World Ultracycling Association (WUCA). In this championship, the participants have to complete the route without external support, which represents an additional mental and logistical challenge. The European Championship further enhances the already prestigious event and should attract top international riders to Austria.

Gravel Ultra at the East to West event

The RACA East to West also has special categories for gravel enthusiasts. The Gravel Ultra350 covers 350 kilometres with 8,800 metres of elevation gain and must be completed within 40 hours (Adventure) or 30 hours (Race). The more challenging Gravel Ultra850 covers 850 kilometres with 16,000 metres of altitude and a time limit of 112 hours (Adventure) or 88 hours (Race). Here, too, it is clear that the gravel routes have more metres of elevation gain than their road counterparts for a comparable distance.

Race Across Austria routes

RACA North-South (16 - 20 June 2026):

• RACA1000: 1000 kilometres, 14,000 vertical metres, time limit: 112 hours (Adventure) / 88 hours (Race)
• RACA700: 700 kilometres, 10,000 vertical metres, time limit: 76 hours (Adventure) / 64 hours (Race)
• RACA500: 500 kilometres, 7000 metres in altitude, time limit: 60 hours (Adventure) / 48 hours (Race)
• RACA300: 300 kilometres, 4000 vertical metres, time limit: 30 hours (Adventure) / 24 hours (Race)
• Gravel Ultra300: 300 kilometres, 5000 vertical metres, time limit: 33 hours (Adventure) / 27 hours (Race)
• Gravel Ultra500: 500 kilometres, 8000 vertical metres, time limit: 63 hours (Adventure) / 52 hours (Race)

RACA East to West (25 - 29 August 2026):

• RACA1000: 1,000 kilometres, 16,000 metres in altitude, time limit: 112 hours (Adventure) / 88 hours (Race)
• RACA500: 500 kilometres, 10,000 vertical metres, time limit: 60 hours (Adventure) / 48 hours (Race)
• Gravel Ultra350: 350 kilometres, 8800 vertical metres, time limit: 40 hours (Adventure) / 30 hours (Race)
• Gravel Ultra850: 850 kilometres, 16,000 vertical metres, time limit: 112 hours (Adventure) / 88 hours (Race)