Sölden, Austria 30.08.2026
The 45th edition of the Ötztaler Radmarathon takes place from August 28 to August 31, 2026 in Sölden, Austria, with the main race held on Sunday, August 30, 2026.
Schedule of Events
Friday, August 28, 2026
- 10:00 – 20:00 — “Ötztaler Sattelfest” Bike Expo & Starter Package Pickup (Freizeit Arena)
- 15:00 – 18:00 — Bike4Help Prologue (Ötztal Tourismus Info Forecourt)
- 18:30 – 20:00 — ÖRM TV Live broadcast on LED screens & online
- 19:30 — Bike4Help Prologue Award Ceremony (Sporthalle Freizeit Arena)
Saturday, August 29, 2026
- 09:00 – 18:30 — “Ötztaler Sattelfest” Bike Expo (Freizeit Arena)
- 09:00 – 20:00 — Starter Package Pickup (Sporthalle Freizeit Arena)
- 16:30 — ÖRM Live Podcast (Sporthalle Freizeit Arena)
- 18:00 — Official Riders’ Briefing (Live broadcast on LED screens & online)
Sunday, August 30, 2026 (Race Day)
- 06:15 – 21:30 — ÖRM TV Live Stream coverage
- 06:30 — RACE START (Signaled by the traditional cannon shot, BP Service Station Sölden)
- 11:00 – 16:00 — Children’s program & entertainment (Ötztal Tourismus Info Forecourt)
- ~13:15 — Expected arrival of the Men’s Winner (Freizeit Arena Finish Area)
- ~14:00 — Expected arrival of the Women’s Winner (Freizeit Arena Finish Area)
- 14:00 – 22:00 — Finisher jersey collection & timing chip return
- 20:30 — Final finishers expected at the finish line
- 20:35 — Official Winners’ Award Ceremony (Sporthalle Freizeit Arena)
Monday, August 31, 2026
- 08:00 – 12:00 — Late Finisher jersey collection & timing chip return
Race Profile
| Distance | 227 km |
| Elevation Gain | 5,500 m |
| Mountain Passes | Kühtai, Brenner Pass, Jaufenpass (Passo Monte Giovo), Timmelsjoch (Passo del Rombo) |
| Participants | ~4,000 riders |
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
- 2025: Daniel Federspiel (Austria)
- 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
- 2025: Janine Meyer (Germany)
- 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.
