Ötztaler Cycle Marathon raises the curtain for female participants
Last updated on 29.08.2024
Next Sunday, 01 September, the 43rd Ötztaler Cycle Marathon will again be the cycling classic in the Alps. Almost 22,000 cyclists from around the globe have registered, only 4,000 lucky ones got a starting place. As well as many former winners and women, whose number at the “Ötztaler” is constantly increasing. Hahnenkamm winner Thomas Dreßen is eagerly looking forward to his premiere.
The cycling spectacle in Ötztal makes the hearts of cycling fans beat faster year after year. Next Sunday, the 227 kilometer long loop course with a total of 5,500 altitude meters, leads from Sölden via Kühtai, Brenner and Jaufen passes and finally over Timmelsjoch back to Sölden. But the cycle marathon weekend is kicked off already on Friday with the Bike Expo. At 15:00, the first sporting battle will take place at the Bike4Help Prologue – Mountain Sprint. A maximum of 200 cyclists can fight for a starting place in the marathon’s front starting blocks by participating in the sprint covering one kilometer and 105 altitude meters. The net proceeds will go to Bike4Help charity.
The Ötztaler Cycle Marathon has constantly increased its organizational level over the past few decades and continues to set new international standards. The organizers always keep their finger on the pulse of the times, for example the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon podcast “Ride hard & dream on” inspires listeners. The topics of sustainability and regionality are as well important to the ÖRM organizing committee. In 2024, the ÖRM will meet the minimum requirements of Green Events Austria and will be a partner event for the first time. This year, the main focus is on women. “We want to proudly present women in cycling. Not only those who take part in the cycle marathon, but also those who work in the organization,” explains OC head Dominic Kuen. 430 women will take part in the 2024 cycle marathon. Women are definitely on the rise in cycling and the number of female starters has increased steadily over the past decade: the number of registered female participants alone has increased by 57 percent this year compared to 2014, and the number of female finishers by 85 percent!
Ski stars are pedaling at the Ötztaler
He won the legendary Hahnenkamm race in Kitzbühel and is taking on the challenge for the first time this year: Germany’s former downhill skier Thomas Dreßen. He will celebrate his debut in Ötztal on 01 September at 6.30, just like his South Tyrolean skiing colleagues Manfred Mölgg and Werner Heel. Two other artists on winter boards will also be there, such as former biathlete Dominic Landertinger and snowboard star Andreas Prommegger. Dreßen, who will travel to Sölden this week with 6,000 kilometers and 70,000 altitude meters in his legs, has great respect for his debut: “I have the greatest respect for the start phase. It is my first cycling race and setting off with such a crowd will certainly be hectic. And I am excited to see how I feel at the end on Timmelsjoch.” The German has clearly defined his goal: “I want to try to stay under ten hours. But I am sure I will make mistakes that I can correct in the next few years.”
Several former winners at the start
Among many “repeaters” are all the winners of the last three years: Johnny Hoogerland (2021; NED), Jack Burke (2022; AUT) and Manuel Senni (2023; ITA) as well as Christina Rausch (2019, 2021; GER), Catherine Rossmann (2022; GER) and Janine Meyer (2023; GER). In addition to the more than 4,000 participants from almost 40 nations, there are also 17 road cycling and racing enthusiasts who have already crossed the start and finish line at the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon around 20 times. Among them is also a local hero: Oswald Auer from Längenfeld.
15 hours live on ÖRM TV – featuring also Toni Palzer
The unrivaled Ötztaler Cycle Marathon will be broadcast live on the Internet again in 2024. It starts at 6:15 in the morning, the entire Ötztaler Cycle Marathon will be broadcast live for 15 hours until the last finisher. In the ÖRM TV studio in Sölden, Stefan Steinacher and ORF presenter Karina Toth will talk to many guests. The “flying reporter” Christoph Suman will catch live images and stories from the race course. This year’s expert analysts will include professional cyclist Toni Palzer of Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe.
Information and pictures:
HERE you can find more information about the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon and HERE you can find pictures.
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