The 2024 ultra-cycling season reaches its first highlight this week. From 15 to 17 May, the 7th Race Around Lower Austria (RAN) will be the first European Championship to take place on Austrian soil. The athletes have to cover a distance of 750 kilometres with around 8,000 metres of altitude. One of the favourites is Austrian ultra-cycling specialist Elena Roch, who caused a sensation last year. The 31-year-old Roch, who lives near Innsbruck but comes from Lower Austria, surprised the cycling world with impressive performances in 2023. At the Race Around Austria, which is being held as an ultra world championship for the first time this year, she not only beat all the female competitors on the 2,200-kilometre route around Austria, but was also faster than the best male participant. In November 2024, she crowned her season with the world title in the 24-hour individual time trial in the USA.
From running to ultracycling
Roch's path to ultracycling was not straightforward. Originally active in running, she only started cycling after moving to Tyrol for work. "Back then, I heard a lot about the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon and in 2018 I took part for the first time after six months of preparation. That's when I caught the cycling bug!" recalls Roch. Her fascination with long distances and the interplay between body and mind during these challenges sparked her interest in ultracycling. The coronavirus pandemic accelerated Roch's switch to cycling. "Corona meant that almost all events were cancelled, which meant I spent longer and longer on my bike," she explains. In 2020, she took part in her first ultra cycling race, the Race Around Lower Austria, which she won straight away. Two more victories at this event followed in the following years. TOUR has a long Interview with the RAN winner.
Professional preparation for the European Ultracycling Championships
Roch has been preparing intensively for the upcoming European Championships. With around 9,000 kilometres of training in her legs, she feels ready for the title fight. "I'm really looking forward to the start in Weitra, from where I'll be travelling around Lower Austria," says the athlete. A team of three coaches, consisting of a sports scientist, her boyfriend and a friend, will support her during the race. The professionalisation of her preparation is also evident in her collaboration with coach Max Kinzlbauer, who also coaches RAAM record winner Christoph Strasser and 24-hour world champion Philipp Kaider. "In addition to training, I have also changed my diet during training sessions and competitions," explains Roch.
Race Around Lower Austria
In 2025, the European Championships on the ultra-distance for the Supported category Solo will be held as part of the Race Around Lower Austria (RAN). A distance of at least 750 km must be completed for the European Championships. Before the European Championship participants set off on the classic 600-kilometre RAN route with over 6,000 challenging metres of elevation gain, they have to complete a 150-kilometre lap with 1,700 metres of elevation gain in the Waldviertel region.
Sponsors and media attention
Success at the Race Around Austria 2023 marked a turning point in Roch's career. "The Race Around Austria was a turning point in a positive sense. I got so much great feedback, especially from the media and women," she reports. She has also made progress in the area of sponsorship. The Wiesbauer company is now supporting her, RH77 by ex-professional cyclist Rene Haselbacher is her official outfitter and Abus is her helmet partner. The European Championships start on Friday 17 May at 12:42 pm in Weitra. The organisers are planning an attractive supporting programme for spectators on the medieval town square. A live stream will broadcast the performances of the 166 participants in various categories. Roch is optimistic: "Now the RAN can come!"
Kristian Bauer
Editor
