Unsupported Ultracycling: European Championship at the Race Across Austria

Austria will become the centre of European trade in 2026 Ultracycling-sports. The Race Across Austria (RACA) East to West (25 to 29 August 2026) will host the WUCA European Championships in Unsupported Ultracycling - Ultra-Distance for the first time. The 1,000-kilometre route will take participants from Nickelsdorf in Burgenland to Feldkirch in Vorarlberg, covering around 16,000 metres in altitude. The special thing about the format is that the race is unsupported, i.e. without escort vehicles or external help. The European Championship is organised in the categories WOMAN SOLO, MAN SOLO and, for the first time, DUO.

Favourites Unsupported Ultracycling

From an Austrian perspective, two names in particular are in the spotlight: Anna Bachmann and Dominik Maierhofer. As a national champion and multiple title winner, Bachmann is one of the most successful Austrian ultra cyclists of recent years. After a break, she is now returning to ultra cycling and is regarded as a great hope for the home European Championships. Dominik Maierhofer brings international success with him as the reigning European champion in supported ultracycling and third place at the Race Across America 2024. He is therefore also one of the medal candidates in unsupported ultracycling.

International starting field for the European Championships Unsupported Ultracycling 2026

In addition to the Austrian figureheads, numerous top international athletes have already confirmed their participation. One of the favourites is the reigning Unsupported European champion Stefan Fettes from Germany. His compatriot Michael Mayerwho triumphed at the RACA North-South 2025 with a record time, is one of the title contenders. In the women's race, Bianca Fach from Switzerland, winner of the RACA East To West 2025, is one of the favourites.

In addition to Bachmann and Maierhofer, Markus Rudisch and Gerhard Trimmel could also cause surprises from an Austrian perspective. Rudisch is regarded as an insider tip with several strong placings, while Trimmel impressed as the fastest rider on the Grossglockner at the RACA East To West 2025. The organisers are expecting further top-class entries for the European Championships in the coming months.

A total of over 650 registrations have already been received for the two RACA events North-South and East To West. According to the organisers, riders from more than 20 nations are expected - a new record number of participants is on the horizon.

Diverse route programme for all target groups

In addition to the Unsupported Ultracycling RACA 1000 European Championship race, the Race Across Austria also offers other distances. At East To West, participants can also start on the RACA 500 course, which begins in Kötschach-Mauthen. New to the programme are the Gravel Ultra races with the Gravel Ultra 350 and Gravel Ultra 850 distances, which have been specially designed for gravel bikes.

Thanks to adapted time limits, the event is not only aimed at the elite of the sport of ultracycling, but also at ambitious amateur riders. "The RACA brings together the best ultracyclists - but also those who are embarking on their own personal adventure," explains organiser and ultracycling world record holder Steff Wagner. "All those who take on this challenge are real RACA heroes for us."

Austria as an ultracycling centre 2026

By organising the WUCA European Championships, Austria will become the meeting point for the European ultra-cycling elite in 2026. The winners will not only be honoured as RACA champions, but also as 2026 WUCA European champions. The Race Across Austria 2026 will kick off in June with the RACA North-South starting in Linz, also with an international starting field and prominent participants such as Supported World Champion Rainer Steinberger.

"Together, we will host a Race Across Austria in 2026 that will be remembered for a long time in the international ultracycling world," emphasises Steff Wagner. With two high-calibre events and the European Championships, Austria is positioning itself as an important location in the international ultracycling scene.

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