Ultracycling world champion Elena Roch and Pilates trainer Julia Blum are inviting female racing cyclists to a camp at the Hotel Alte Post in St. Anton am Arlberg from 29 July to 2 August 2026. The package includes a starting place for the sold-out Arlberg Giro. The participants can ride the Giro together with the two guides Elena and Julia. The "VibeCycling" women's camp is aimed at advanced female cyclists who already have experience with longer tours. Participants should be able to ride distances of up to 120 kilometres and 2,500 metres in altitude at a comfortable pace. The organisers divide the group according to ability level: The "Espresso" group rides faster and longer distances, while the "Cappuccino" group completes shorter tours at a more moderate pace.
Programme and services
The camp starts on Wednesday, 29 July, with a get-to-know-you excursion. In the evening, there will be a get-together with dinner and a discussion of the coming days. On each of the following three days, the organisers will lead joint bike rides in two ability groups in the mornings. On Thursday, Elena Roch will give a talk entitled "Ultra - When the mind just keeps going". On Friday evening, the participants attend the final of the Night Sprint in St. Anton.
Saturday is used to prepare for the Arlberg Giro. Pilates trainer Julia Blum will lead a training session in the Arlflow, after which the riders can visit the Expo Area, pick up their race numbers and take part in the pasta party. A two to three-hour ride with Elena Roch, which is open to all interested riders, will start at midday. The official start of the Arlberg Giro begins on Sunday, 2 August. The participants will meet at the hotel for the joint ride to the start area, which is about 100 metres away.
Prices and inclusive services
The four-day camp costs 995 euros per person in a double room. The organisers charge from 1,100 euros for a double room for single use. The price includes four nights' accommodation with half board and an afternoon snack. Participants will receive a starting place for the fully booked Arlberg Giro on Sunday, 2 August 2026. The package includes four guided road bike rides: three exclusive tours from Wednesday to Friday for the camp participants and an optional ride on Saturday for the Giro participants. The Pilates session with Julia Blum and the lecture by Elena Roch are also included in the price.
Elena Roch and her successes
Elena Roch was born in Hollabrunn in 1993 and is one of the most successful female ultracyclists in Austria. She has won the Race Around Lower Austria four times: 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2025. She holds the course record from 2020 to 2022. In June 2024, she won the premiere of the Race Across Austria. In the Race Around Austria 2024, she covered 2,200 kilometres with 30,000 metres of elevation gain in 4 days and 2 hours. She was faster than the best male participant, Sebastian Mayr, who took 4 days, 3 hours and 58 minutes.
In 2025, Elena Roch won the Race Around Austria again and took the world championship title despite a crash shortly before the finish. Together with Anna Bachmann, she won the Austrian ultra cycling championship title in the women's two-person team category at the 24-hour cycling marathon in Grieskirchen. The pair set a new course record of 860 kilometres. The previous record was 774 kilometres. Elena Roch is a qualified mental coach and passes on her experiences from ultracycling in her presentation.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
