A Celebration of Cycling and Diversity

Last updated on 24.08.2026 | Kufsteinerland

10th Kufsteinerland Radmarathon inspires with participation record, high proportion of women and new course record

Kufstein / Tyrol – Three days of cycling festivities, 33 nations and more women than ever before: the Kufsteinerland Radmarathon celebrated its tenth anniversary with a new participation record. Under ideal conditions, 1,800 cycling enthusiasts took to the start line. On the 120-kilometre premier distance, Brigitte Filensky from Germany and Christian Oberngruber from Austria triumphed.

From leisure cycling to top-level racing: more participants, a new course record and a record proportion of women set new standards at the 10th Kufsteinerland Radmarathon. Under blue skies and pleasant temperatures, 1,800 cyclists from 33 nations took on the race – including 942 from Germany and 782 from Austria. The varied route with numerous climbs kept the race open and offered more than just classic climbers the chance of a top result. The age range also demonstrated the diversity of the field: the youngest participant was eight, the oldest 85 years old. Women were particularly strongly represented, accounting for 22 percent of the field. No fewer than 40 participants from the Munich-based road cycling community female cycling force were at the start – making the community the club with the largest number of participants in the race.

“The cycling marathon has grown over the past ten years primarily through its quality. The combination of sport, landscape, urban flair and the sense of togetherness in our region has made the event what it is today,” says Georg Hörhager, chairman of the Kufsteinerland Tourism Association. Organiser Frank Rietzler adds: “1,800 starters are a fantastic confirmation. However, our priority remains top-level organisation with high quality and maximum safety for all participants.”

From marathon to handbike

Right on time at 7:30 a.m., the starting signal sounded at “Oberer Stadtplatz”, in the heart of the fortress town. First to set off were the riders in the cycling marathon over 120 kilometres and 1,800 metres of elevation gain as well as the lake circuit over 95 kilometres and 1,160 metres of elevation gain. At 7:40 a.m., the panorama route over 48 kilometres and 400 metres of elevation gain followed. In addition to the classic road cycling routes, the e-bike route was deliberately positioned as an option for leisure cyclists. For the first time in 2026, there was also a separate handbike category on the panorama route. Former road cyclist Benjamin Hundsbichler was a prominent representative at the start: “It is fantastic that my home race has its own handbike category for the first time. I hope that the Kufsteinerland Radmarathon will also become a role model for other races.” Lina Schneeweiß, theme manager at the Kufsteinerland Tourism Association, is also convinced by the diversity of the event: “It is important to us to offer the right challenge for different needs – from the ambitious cycling marathon and shorter distances to e-bike and handbike. We are open to everyone who enjoys cycling.”

Filensky prevails in the women’s race

On the premier 120-kilometre distance, Brigitte Filensky dictated the women’s race from the very beginning. The German rider moved into the lead early and was able to ride with a group of men on the long climb to Brandenberg. This allowed her to further extend her advantage over her pursuers. Behind her, an exciting battle developed. Austrian Birgit Stegmeier initially led a group of around six chasing riders, which included local favourite Lea Horngacher, Austrian national champion Corina Pichler and Germany’s Lisa Hartung. The route repeatedly demanded changes of pace from the riders. In particular, the section from Vorderthiersee to Hinterthiersee as well as the climbs in Kleinsöll near Breitenbach and up to Brandenberg provided opportunities for attacks.

In between, the deep-green Lake Thiersee with the Passionsspielhaus, views of the Kaiser Mountains and Kufstein Fortress provided an impressive backdrop to the race. On the final kilometres, things became extremely close once again: Lisa Hartung made up second after second and came dangerously close to Filensky just before the finish. The leader ultimately managed to take an advantage of around one second across the finish line, securing victory in the anniversary edition. Hartung finished second, with Tjade Scharer completing the podium in third – meaning all three podium places on the marathon route went to Germany.

Oberngruber goes solo to a new course record

The men’s race also started at a high pace. Last year’s winner René Pammer, Christian Oberngruber and Germany’s Jan Kattanek initially set the pace at the front. However, a mechanical issue on the descent from Brandenberg towards Kramsach set Pammer back and ended his chances of successfully defending his title.

Oberngruber made full use of the situation, maintained the lead and increasingly distanced himself from his pursuers. Kattanek initially tried to catch the Austrian, but was later caught by the next group and dropped back. This chasing group included former professional cyclist and Kufstein native Max Kuen as well as Miguel Brugger.

At the front, Oberngruber left nothing to chance. After 2 hours and 59 minutes, he reached Kufstein alone and set a new course record. Behind him, a close battle for second place developed, with Germany’s Jasper Britz prevailing over local favourite Max Kuen. Kuen was impressed by the sporting level of the anniversary edition: “The race gets more challenging every year – this year it was faster than ever before. We had a top-class field and really strong competitors, both in the women’s and men’s races.”

Three days of cycling festivities

The fact that the Kufsteinerland Radmarathon has long been about much more than race day itself was already evident from Friday onwards. The weekend kicked off with the Aschinger Alm Gaudirace in Ebbs near Kufstein. The mountain time trial for professional, amateur and e-bike riders provided the first sporting showdown of the weekend against an impressive Alpine backdrop. On Saturday, various road bike rides were on the programme as part of the official warm-up. During the “Cappuccino Ride”, former professional cyclist Max Kuen and his group rode at a relaxed pace. The “Welcome Ride by female cycling force” also brought numerous women together on their road bikes. The approximately 40-kilometre route included a stop at the Bierol beer garden in Schwoich. A mechanic workshop, live music, coffee and the Bike Expo also made Saturday a meeting place for the road cycling community away from the saddle.

Another premiere in 2026 was the Tiroler Rennrad Cup: together with the Imster Radmarathon and the Arlberg Giro, the Kufsteinerland Radmarathon formed a joint race series for the first time. Participants benefit, among other things, from a reduced entry fee and a guaranteed starting place at all three events. From 2027, the Dolomitenrundfahrt will also become part of the series.

After three days filled with road cycling, encounters and outstanding sporting performances, the tenth edition ended where it had begun on Sunday morning: in the heart of the fortress town of Kufstein. With 1,800 starters, 33 nations and a proportion of women of 22 percent, the anniversary edition set new standards – both in sporting terms and for the future development of the Kufsteinerland Radmarathon.

Results

Cycling Marathon (120 km):

Women

1. Brigitte Filensky (Germany- ) 3:18:03.6
2. Lisa Hartung (Germany-) 3:18:40.1
3. Tjade Scharer (Germany-) 3:24:58.1

Men

1. Christian Oberngruber (Austria)- 2:59:22.8
2. Jasper Britz (Germany-) 3:03:07.7
3. Maximilian Kuen (Austria-) 3:03:07.9

Panorama Route (48 km):

Women

1. Jessica Pieper (Germany – R.C. Die Schwalben München) 1:20:54.8
2. Julia Jäger (Germany) 1:21:13.4
3. Madeleine Vieter (Austria – Nordic Team Absam) 1:23:10.2

Men

1. Christian Schmitt (Austria – RCC/Lindi Bike Race-Team) 1:14:33.8
2. Michael Reisecker (Austria – NEUBIKE Racing) 1:14:36.6
3. Bernhard Mair (Austria – moveeffect TOMORIS UCT OÖ) 1:15:09.9

Lake Circuit (95 km):

Women

1. Nina Gunther (Germany – Sturmvogel München) 2:35:41.1
2. Sophia Moosbrugger (Austria) 2:38:35.7
3. Johanna Brand (Germany) 2:43:33.7

Men

1. Johannes Lener (Austria – Radgut Bikestore & Werkstore) 2:21:35.3
2. Marcel Machner (Austria – RSV 1895 Passau) 2:21:35.5
3. Fabian Reischenböck (Austria – RSV Atterbiker) 2:21:37.1

Handbike (48 km):

Women

1. Cornelia Wibmer (Austria) 1:44:53.8
2. Emma Krabath (Austria) 2:59:19.4

Men

1. Alexander Gritsch (Austria) 1:23:12.5
2. Elmar Sternath (Germany) 1:45:04.7
3. Benjamin Hundsbichler (Austria) 1:46:27.8

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Characters „headline“ (incl. spaces):          153

Characters „body text“ (incl. spaces):                   8.689