Ultracycling World Championships at the Race Around Austria, featuring German favourites

The Race Around Austria is hosting the Ultracycling World Championships for the second time. The 18th edition of the race follows a clockwise route of 2,200 kilometres around Austria. According to the organisers, the field of competitors is stronger than ever before. Christoph Strasser, record winner of both the Race Across America and the Race Around Austria, analyses the favourites in both categories in a press release.

German medal hopefuls at the Ultracycling World Championships

In the men’s category, Strasser names three German riders as the top favourites for the title at the Ultracycling World Championships. Rainer Steinberger has already won the Race Around Austria three times and could equal Strasser’s record with a fourth victory. The 50-year-old is the defending champion and has the most experience. Sebastian Mayr holds the title of 24-hour time trial world champion and won the Race Around Saxony and the Race Across Germany in 2026. He previously won the Race Around Austria in 2024, although the two fastest women, Elena Roch and Tina Büttner, finished ahead of him.

Sebastian Trimborn describes Strasser as his insider tip. The 25-year-old holds the 12-hour world record on Zwift and has over 100,000 followers on YouTube. Strasser sees him as the fastest cyclist in the field, although Trimborn has suffered setbacks whilst on course for victory in a number of unsupported races. If he can maintain his form, he’ll be hard to beat, according to the Styrian’s assessment.

Austrian hopes at the Ultracycling World Championships

Local hero Simon Harringer and Lukas Kaufmann are considered the most promising Austrian contenders at the Ultracycling World Championships. Harringer won the RAA 1500 last year. Kaufmann has finished second twice in the Race Across America. Franz Scharler from Salzburg finished second in the Race Around Austria in 2021. Thomas Krutis from Lower Austria and Kurt Matzler, a multiple RAAM finisher from Innsbruck, complete the Austrian line-up.

Büttner is the favourite to win gold at the Ultracycling World Championships

Defending champion Elena Roch has had to withdraw due to injury. As a result, world silver medallist Tina Büttner is now the favourite to win gold. Two years ago at the Race Around Austria, the German, like Elena Roch, was faster than all the men. Yvonne Markgraf, the reigning 24-hour time trial world champion, most recently won the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring and has already triumphed at the RAA 1500. The two Germans are considered clear favourites for the title at the Ultracycling World Championships.

Premiere of the Gravel Around Salzkammergut

Alongside the Ultracycling World Championships, the organisers are also staging a gravel event. The Gravel Around Salzkammergut will take place for the first time on 15 August. The route also starts in St. Georgen im Attergau and winds its way through the scenic region between mountains and lakes. There are two distances to choose from: 163 kilometres with 3,000 metres of elevation gain and 217 kilometres with 3,800 metres of elevation gain. The finish lines will be part of the finishers’ party in St. Georgen im Attergau. Philipp Kaider, two-time RAAM winner, and Anna Kofler, winner of the Bright Midnight in Norway in July, will be taking part in the inaugural event.

New 50+ age group at the Challenge

The Race Around Austria Challenge will introduce a separate 50+ age group in 2026. In the Solo and Unsupported categories, the rankings will be separated by gender. This rule follows the World Championship guidelines, under which world championship titles are also awarded in the 50+ category. The Challenge covers 560 kilometres non-stop along the Upper Austrian border. The Unsupported Challenge does not permit support vehicles or support staff.