Ötztaler Cycle Marathon: Three days of ultimate cycling excitement in Sölden

Last updated on 24.08.2026 | Ötztal

From the Bike Expo experience and the Bike4Help Prologue to live talks and the big marathon day: the side and entertainment program of the 45th Ötztaler Cycle Marathon will turn Sölden into a meeting place for the international cycling community from 28 to 31 August.

When the starting gun for the 45th Ötztaler Cycle Marathon fires on Sunday, 30 August at 6:30 in the morning, both participants and spectators will already have enjoyed two days packed with cycling highlights in Sölden. The Ötztaler Cycle Marathon is much more than just a sporting challenge covering 227 kilometers, 5,500 altitude meters and four alpine passes. The cycling community also can look forward to a comprehensive program as part of the legendary “Ötztaler” – combining sport, information, entertainment and socializing.

Bike Expo and Bike4Help: Kick-off on Friday

The “Ötztaler Sattelfest” Bike Expo kicks off the event on Friday, 28 August. From 10:00 to 20:00, everyone is welcome to take a closer look at the latest products, trends and offers from the world of cycling sports on the forecourt and in the sports hall of Freizeit Arena. At the same time, all participants in the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon can pick up their race package.

The action gets underway on Friday afternoon with the Bike4Help Prologue. From 15:00 to 18:00, the focus is on supporting a good cause and promoting social sustainability. This exciting one-kilometer hill sprint featuring 105 altitude meters in individual time trial format, is open to a maximum of 200 participants. The entry fee is 25 Euros and all proceeds will be donated to the charity organization Bike4Help. “By participating in this sprint, the starters are supporting Tirolean families in need,” explains Dominic Kuen, OC head. The winners of the Prologue will then be awarded at 19:30 in the sports hall of Freizeit Arena. Two-time winner Jonas Holzknecht, who also set a new course record last year, will be competing again.

Cycling sports talk and last updates on Saturday

On Saturday, 29 August, the unrivaled Bike Expo will open its doors again from 9:00 to 18:30. At 16:30, the ÖRM Live Podcast will air in the sports hall of Freizeit Arena. The podcast focuses on exciting stories, people and emotions related to the legendary cycling marathon. Host Marco Brugger will welcome Urban Gstrein and Anna Maria Klocker to the microphone. “Anna Maria is a personal trainer, mountain guide and outdoor enthusiast; she will also shed light on the women’s perspective. Urban is a veteran and has participated many times. This combination is interesting because it allows us to present the cycling marathon from different perspectives in a very relatable way for the listeners,” Brugger explains. At 18:00, things get serious for the more than 4,000 female and male participants: on occasion of the official riders’ briefing, they will receive the latest and final important information for race day. The briefing will also be streamed live online and on the LED screens surrounding Freizeit Arena.

Sunday: Sölden becomes the capital of cycling sports

Sunday is all about the 45th Ötztaler Cycle Marathon. Starting at 6:15, ÖRM TV will provide extensive live coverage of the event, running until 21:30. Spectators can follow the race not only along the route but also around the finish line at Freizeit Arena. Speaking of the marathon course, this year there will be a Specialized Cheering Zone at Kühtaier Dorfstadl between 5:30 and 9:30 on marathon day! At 6:30, the starting gun will fire at Sölden’s BP gas station for the more than 4,000 participants. A cannon shot from the Sölden Schützen Association will mark the start of one of the toughest and most emotionally charged cycle marathons in Europe. The riders will face 227 kilometers and 5,500 altitude meters, crossing Kühtai, Brenner Pass, Jaufen Pass and Timmelsjoch before finally returning to Sölden.

While the athletes battle for every second along the marathon course, a vibrant program awaits spectators and families in Sölden. From 11:00 to 16:00, there will be a children’s program in the plaza in front of the Ötztal Tourismus office building. At noon, unicyclist David Weichenberger will provide spectacular entertainment with a show and a workshop. The fastest cyclists are expected to cross the finish line at Freizeit Arena from 13:15 onwards. The top female finisher is expected to reach Sölden around 14:00. But the adventure still continues for the finishers as the Recovery Zone by Reboots offers varied opportunities for regeneration from 14:00 to 19:00.

The emotional finale

When the last participants are expected to cross the finish line around 20:15, a long day full of athletic top performances and personal success stories will come to an end. After a short celebration in the finish area at 20:35, the best athletes will be honored at the official awards ceremony in the sports hall of Freizeit Arena while the last finisher will be escorted to the awards ceremony amid the thunderous applause of the crowd.

More details: www.soelden.com
Pictures: HERE

Contact:
ANNA PIRCHER
anna.pircher@oetztal.com
T +43 57200 935