Race Around Austria: Kaufmann wins World Championship with a course record

Lukas Kaufmann, a father of two from Upper Austria, has achieved the greatest success of his career to date at the 18th edition of the ultracycling race. After two fourth-place finishes in the RAA and two second-place finishes in the Race Across America, he has made his breakthrough in St. Georgen im Attergau. He crossed the finish line at around five o’clock in the morning after a ride time that significantly beat Christoph Strasser’s previous record set in 2020. Strasser had taken 3 days, 11 hours and 26 minutes back then. In the women’s race, Tina Büttner won despite struggling with knee pain.

Tactics for the Race Around Austria

Kaufmann adopts an attacking riding style right from the start. The Upper Austrian explains his strategy: he would rather go down with his head held high than lose too much time right from the outset. His plan pays off. Despite some difficult spells, the 2026 world champion recovers quickly from his lows. The support from spectators along the route provides extra motivation. Lots of people are standing with banners and cowbells, particularly on the mountains. Kaufmann is only the second winner from Upper Austria in RAA history. Sebastian Michetschläger won in 2022.

Trimborn and Harringer on the podium

The 25-year-old German Sebastian Trimborn was locked in a tough battle with Kaufmann in the early stages. Once they reached the mountains, the Upper Austrian gradually pulled away. Trimborn is competing in his first race with the RAA, supported by a team of support staff, and crossed the finish line after 3 days, 12 hours and 32 minutes. Despite the intense heat, the sleep strategy paid off. Simon Harringer from Ampflwang in Austria completed the podium with a time of 3 days, 12 hours and 57 minutes. The bandmaster won the RAA 1,500 on his debut last year and tackled the EXTREME version – covering 2,200 kilometres and 30,000 metres of elevation gain – for the first time in 2026. Harringer has only been competing in ultra-cycling races for three years, having weighed over 130 kilograms in his youth due to an overly intense lifestyle. The first 33 hours were extremely tough; he was on the verge of giving up, but managed to pull himself out of the slump.

Büttner triumphs at the Race Around Austria

Following her second-place finish last year, Tina Büttner has secured the WUCA World Championship title in ultracycling for the first time. The German reached St. Georgen im Attergau after 4 days, 10 hours and 30 minutes. This time is significantly slower than her performance last year of 3 days, 23 hours and 45 minutes. Severe knee problems caused the winner major difficulties. In the final days, the team’s focus was entirely on managing her knee condition. Büttner had finished second behind Elena Roch in each of the past two years. The packed market square welcomed the new world champion with a fantastic atmosphere.

Margraf and Podpeskar round off the women’s podium

Yvonne Margraf rounded off the strong performance of the German female ultra-cyclists by finishing second. She crossed the finish line after 4 days, 14 hours and 42 minutes. At the finish, she was very modest. She said that winning wasn’t that important to her; her top priority is to reach the finish safe and sound. The bronze medal went to Alexandra Podpeskar from Innsbruck with a time of 5 days, 4 hours and 13 minutes. Last year, she failed to finish the race. The Tyrolean fulfilled the hopes of the Austrian public in her home race.

Gravel Around Salzkammergut as part of the Race Around Austria

Running alongside the Race Around Austria, the Gravel Around Salzkammergut is taking place for the first time. The organisers are offering two routes of 163 and 217 kilometres. The route winds through picturesque countryside, over numerous mountains, past lakes and is peppered with varied gravel sections. There is no official timekeeping; the focus is on having fun on the gravel. Taking part are ultra-specialist Anna Kofler and two-time Race Across America winner Philipp Kaider. The self-proclaimed ‘asphalt tiger’ is competing in his first gravel race. The route includes sections that are normally closed to traffic. There’s a relaxed atmosphere at the refreshment stations. At the finish line, Kaider is around ten minutes behind Kofler.