The stages are planned to be "not too long, but challenging", emphasises Tour Director Thomas Pupp. This is also the wish of the participating teams. The route this year is "attractive and closer to the public", according to the organising team. This is also why there are several spectator-friendly circuits on the five race days. "We wanted short distances for the spectators," explains Pupp.
Lots of applications, lots of stars?
Over 40 international teams had applied to take part - even World Tour teams had to cancel. This is the third edition of the race since the organisers of the Austrian Continental teams joined forces. After the cancellation in 2020 due to the pandemic, the traditional tour was on the verge of being cancelled. "This is our most important stage," says Pupp, who is also the manager of the Tirol KTM Cycling Team, explaining the great commitment of the local teams to take over the stage race virtually under their own management.
Hope for a star cast
Race director Thomas Pupp is expecting a star-studded line-up. Seven World Tour teams will be at the start - more than has been the case for a long time. The provisional start list includes the German Tour stage winner Lennard Kämna, the Austrian tour specialist Patrick Konrad (both Team Lidl-Trek) and Felix Großschartner from world number one UAE Team Emirates, who may even send the shooting star of the last Giro d'Italia, Isaac del Toro, into the race. The German racing team Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe will not be taking part. Austria is above all a stage for those who have made the leap to the Tour de France, which is taking place at the same time. This applies to the top teams. Above all, however, it is a showcase for Austrian cycling and its talents. The five current Continental teams are sending their talents out onto the local roads. The new team Arbö Kärnten has reportedly signed the local climber Hermann Pernsteiner.
The route: From Steyr to Feldkirch
The race starts on 9 July 2025 on a hilly classic course around Steyr. This is followed by a mountainous day in Salzburger Land with a final climb in Alpendorf/St. Johann im Pongau, which has a maximum gradient of 14.8 per cent. In any case, the third day of the race is already about the overall victory. The stage starts in Salzburg and ends with a mountain finish on the city's landmark, the Gaisberg. Austria's most important cycling race last stopped there in 1973. The route covers 7.6 kilometres with an average gradient of 7.9 per cent to the finish at the broadcasting tower. From there, fans and cyclists can enjoy a breathtaking view of the provincial capital of Salzburg. And the view of the overall classification should be clearer than ever.
Showdown in Kühtai
The royal stage leads from Innsbruck to Kühtai. The 2000 metre high saddle has to be ridden from both sides - the second ascent leads over the particularly steep variant of the Haiminger Berg via the Sattele to Kühtai. The overall leader will not be able to take a deep breath just yet. On the final day, after the start in Feldkirch, the route takes in the Faschinajoch and Furkajoch climbs - the mountainous return journey to Feldkirch requires the overall leader to be very attentive and not too tired. Looking at the terrain, the teams can safely leave the sprinters at home.
No Glockner, in memory of Drege
The Grossglockner High Alpine Road and the Kitzbüheler Horn are not on the route this time. "We will be taking a break at the Glockner this time because of the accident a year ago," says Pupp. Last year, the young Norwegian professional cyclist André Drege was killed in an accident on the descent. The accident site, where a memorial stone now stands, was not to be passed this year. In addition, according to Pupp, Drege's race number 171 will no longer be allocated in his memory. Drege's former team Coop-Repsol will receive numbers from 172 upwards.
The stages of the Tour of Austria 2025 at a glance
Tuesday, 8 July 2025
19-20:30: Team presentation in Steyr
Wednesday, 9 July 2025
1st stage: Steyr - Steyr, 167.8 kilometres (2,433 vertical metres)
Thursday, 10 July 2025
Stage 2: Bischofshofen - St. Johann / Alpendorf, 142.1 kilometres (1,677 m difference in altitude)
Friday, 11 July 2025
Stage 3: Salzburg (Hellbrunn Palace) - Salzburg (Gaisberg), 142.9 kilometres (2,755 m elevation gain)
Saturday, 12 July 2025
Stage 4: Innsbruck - Kühtai, 117.3 kilometres (3,500 m elevation gain)
Sunday, 13 July 2025
Stage 5: Feldkirch - Feldkirch, 144.1 kilometres (3,388 m elevation gain)
Andreas Kublik
Editor
