In 2024, Austria will have a new ultra-distance race in the unsupported category with the RACA. In its second year, the event is already showing signs of growth in the number of participants. The event should not be confused with the traditional RATA - Race Across The Alps or the Race Around Austria.
The Race Across Austria is a self-supported (unsupported) ultra-distance race that crosses Austria once a year from east to west and once from north to south in two events: RACA North South and RACA East to West. While in June the route runs from north to south through Austria, at the end of August it runs from east to west. With sustainability in mind, a tree will be planted for each participant in the RACA forest in the Waldviertel region of Lower Austria.
Competitions for gravel bikers round off the respective event week. Last year's winners, such as Robert Müller (GER) and Elena Roch (AUT), have already set the bar high for ultra pros. Austria's best-known ultracycling athlete Christoph Strasser had to pull out of last year's RACA after a crash.
New 500cc track at the RACA North South
From the start in Linz, the route leads to the centre of Austria and back to Linz. The most beautiful mountains and regions of the federal states of Lower Austria, Styria, Upper Austria and Salzburg are included. The highest point is the Postalm (Lienbachsattel).
- Start: 19 June 2025
- Distance: 500 Km
- Altitude metres: 7,000
- Adventure time limit: 60 h
- Race time limit: 48 h
Glockner Man/Woman
The RACA East to West has a new special classification: whoever is the fastest from Heiligenblut to the Edelweiss peak is crowned Glockner Man or Glockner Woman and receives a special prize.
Gravel Ultra 300
For gravel bikers, there is the Gravel Ultra 300 from Linz. From the starting point in Linz, the route leads partly along the former "Iron Curtain" to the northernmost point of Austria. Participants ride 70 per cent of the route on gravel and meadow paths. The remaining 30 per cent are low-traffic country roads with a "Mühlviertel pothole guarantee" - according to the official announcement.
- Start: 20 June 2025
- Distance: 300 Km
- Altitude metres: 4500 m
- Adventure time limit: 33 h
- Race time limit: 27 h
RACA UpHill Cycling and Bikepacking Workshop
From March, the RACA UpHill Cycling platform offers the opportunity to cycle independently on selected routes. The first route will be Linz, followed by new routes in all of Austria's federal states every month.
Info: www.uphillcycling.at, www.raceacrossaustria.com
Kristian Bauer
Editor
