CYCLING: Ötztaler Radmarathon 2025 (AUT)

Sölden, Austria 31.08.2025

Source: https://www.soelden.com/de/veranstaltungen-freizeittipps/events/oetztaler-radmarathon and https://www.instagram.com/oetztalerradmarathon/

The Ötztaler Radmarathon is an non UCI amateur cycling event, known for its challenging course through the Alps. Here’s a look at its history:

Founding and Early Years

The first Ötztaler Radmarathon took place in 1982. The history of the race is closely tied to its organizer, Ernst Lorenzi, who has been involved since 2004.

The initial route varied in its early years, with the start and finish locations changing. From 1982 to 1985, the race started and ended in Innsbruck. From 1994 to 2001, there were different start/finish locations along the course.

The Modern Course

The current course, which has been in use since 2003, is a 227-kilometer loop with a staggering 5,500 meters of elevation gain. The race starts and finishes in Sölden, Austria. The challenging route takes cyclists through four major Alpine passes:

• Kühtaisattel
• Brenner Pass
• Jaufen Pass
• Timmelsjoch

The “Mythos” of the Ötztaler

The Ötztaler Radmarathon has earned a reputation as a “myth” among cyclists due to its extreme difficulty. The combination of its length, significant elevation gain, and unpredictable weather conditions (which can include heat, cold, rain, or even snow) make it a formidable challenge for even the most experienced riders.

Since 2008, the demand for a starting spot has been so high that the 4,000 available slots have been allocated by a lottery system. In recent years, tens of thousands of cyclists have registered for the chance to participate.

The Ötztaler Radmarathon has a rich history of winners, with some cyclists achieving multiple victories. Here are some of the notable winners in the more recent history of the event:

Men’s Winners

• 2024: Jack Burke (Canada)
• 2023: Manuel Senni (Italy)
• 2022: Jack Burke (Canada)
• 2021: Johnny Hoogerland (Netherlands)
• 2020: Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 2019: Mathias Nothegger (Austria)
• 2018: Mathias Nothegger (Austria)
• 2017: Stefano Cecchini (Italy)
• 2016: Bernd Hornetz (Germany)
• 2015: Enrico Zen (Italy)
• 2014: Roberto Cunico (Italy)
• 2013: Roberto Cunico (Italy)

Women’s Winners

• 2024: Janine Meyer (Germany)
• 2023: Janine Meyer (Germany)
• 2022: Catherine Rossmann (Germany)
• 2021: Christina Rausch (Germany)
• 2020: Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 2019: Christina Rausch (Germany)
• 2018: Laila Orenos (Switzerland)
• 2017: Laila Orenos (Switzerland)
• 2016: Laila Orenos (Switzerland)
• 2015: Laila Orenos (Switzerland)
• 2014: Laila Orenos (Switzerland)

Both Jack Burke and Janine Meyer have become recent repeat winners, with Meyer having set a new course record in 2024. The dominance of Laila Orenos in the women’s category is also particularly noteworthy, with five consecutive victories from 2014 to 2018.

31.08.2025 / Start 06:30 / Sölden

227 kilometers 5,500 meters of elevation gain 4 Alpine passes 4,000 participants