Many organisers already reported increased demand for starting places in 2024. This trend appears to be continuing. Rund um Köln was sold out weeks in advance, as were the Jedermann race at Rad am Ring, the ADAC Velotour Eschborn and the 24-hour race in Kelheim. The Mecklenburger Seenrunde, the Tannheimer Tal cycle marathon, the Wachau cycle marathon, the 24-hour Grieskirchen cycle marathon and other events all set participation records. The boom is also reflected in events that are always sold out: The Ötztal Cycle Marathon reported 25,198 applications for the 4,000 starting places - an increase of 15 per cent compared to the previous year. The racing bike boom seems to be continuing. We asked around to find out what industry stakeholders are observing:
"We are seeing an increase in the number of participants at our clubs' events. In the first half of 2025, athletes with an amateur sports licence covered almost 20 percent more kilometres than in the previous year. The proportion of female athletes and young people has increased significantly and gravel rides are gaining in importance. In 2025, we already have more gravel rides in the popular sports calendar than MTB tours."
Detlef Wittenbreder, Vice-President of Popular and Leisure Sports German Cycling
"It is clear to see that the number of participants in the Swiss Cycling Top Tour has risen sharply since the coronavirus pandemic. While the previous level was between 7,500 and 10,000 participants, we are now at 13,000 to 15,000 people. However, it is difficult to make clear comparisons between individual years, as some races could not take place due to weather conditions. In addition, the number of participants in certain races, such as the Alpenbrevet, is limited by the authorities for safety reasons. Demand would be sufficiently high for the total number of participants to be even higher than 15,000n."
Tim Kesseli, Employee Marketing Swiss Cycling
"Since 2022, we have seen a significant upturn in road cycling events in Germany. Demand has risen sharply: On my.raceresult.com, the number of participants more than doubled between 2022 and 2024. Supply is also following suit - the number of events has grown by 42 per cent in the same period. Cycling is therefore benefiting noticeably from a larger trend: we are experiencing a veritable run on sporting events worldwide - whether on a bike or in running shoes."
Sönke Petersen, CEO Race Result
"We at Sportograf can see: the road bike world is rolling - and how! The numbers are rising sharply and we are as happy as little children. It's not just the really big races like Mallorca312, Maratona dles Dolomites, Paris-Roubaix or L'Étape du Tour that are literally being overrun, many other everyday races are also booming. Our feeling and our data say: plus 10 to 20 per cent, similar to the running sector. Unfortunately, my personal favourite discipline, the MTB marathon, is in free fall. However, the shooting star is HYROX: it feels like the sport is doubling every year."
Tom Janas, Founder & Managing Director Sportograf
Kristian Bauer
Editor
