Three days of splendid program at the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon
Last updated on 28.08.2025
The Ötztaler Cycle Marathon weekend begins in Sölden on Friday. In addition to the classic alpine cycling marathon, there will also be plenty of highlights for participants, fellow travelers and spectators at the heart of Ötztal! The popular Bike4Help charity mountain sprint is once again back on the program. The entire weekend is only made possible by the unrivaled Ötztaler Cycle Marathon’s Dream Team of over 1,300 volunteers and helping hands!
This weekend, everything will be about cycling again in Ötztal, as the 44th edition of the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon will once again attract over 4,000 participants, their supporters and countless spectators to Tirol’s longest side valley. On Friday, 29 Aug 2025, the “Ötztaler Sattelfest” Bike Expo will be open from 10:00 to 20:00 at Freizeit Arena. The quite challenging Bike4Help mountain sprint, covering one kilometer and 105 altitude meters, will then begin at 15:00. “The mountain sprint is becoming increasingly popular and a great way to test your legs for the cycle marathon. The entire net proceeds of € 25 entry fee per starter will be donated to the Bike4Help charitable organization. It will support Tirolean families in need,” explains Dominic Kuen, OC head. The field of participants for this social sustainability campaign is limited to 200.
Friday also features the third live broadcast of Ötztaler Radmarathon TV (ÖRM TV). Starting at 18:30, favorites and celebrities such as ski mountaineer Sarah Dreier and former biathlete Simon Eder are expected to attend. Final updates for all participants in the marathon will also be provided before the riders briefing.
Big live participants briefing and live podcast on Saturday
The Bike Expo, where the start number can be picked up, will be open on 30 August from 9:00 to 20:00. At exactly 16:30, Marco Brugger’s successful podcast is broadcast live at Freizeit Arena’s sports hall. He will welcome Jana Kesenheimer and Olympic snowboard champion Benjamin Karl as guests. Afterwards, the organizer invites you to join the participants briefing at 18:00 in the sports hall or via the ÖRM TV live stream.
Plenty of program on race day
On Sunday, 31 Aug, the 15-hour live stream of ÖRM TV starts already at 6:15 while several video walls in the finish area will also be showing the action along the track. The starting signal for the 44th Ötztaler Cycle Marathon is given at 6:30 by firing a cannon shot of Sölden’s traditional Rifle Club. Then, the more than 4,000 participants will set off on the 227 km long adventure over Kühtai, Brenner and Jaufen passes, and finally across Timmelsjoch – before the winner is expected at approx. 13:15. The fastest female cyclist should cross the finish line at about 14:00. At 12:00 noon, unicycle artist David Weichenberger will perform a great show and workshop and between 11:00 and 16:00, there will be fun-packed activities for children and young people at the Ötztal Tourismus building. Afterwards, the finish area will be bustling with activity as one finisher after another crosses the finish line. The absolute highlight will be around 20:30 – just before the award ceremony, when the last group of cyclists will be escorted to Sölden and welcomed there by the enthusiastic crowd of spectators.
Dream Team, girl power and sustainability at the ÖRM 2025
To make the great ÖRM dream come true, a Dream Team is needed behind the scenes. Some 1,300 volunteers are supporting 4,000 participants, bringing passion, enthusiasm and professionalism to the event. Additionally, as a partner of Green Events Austria, the ÖRM strongly focuses on sustainability by promoting less waste, e-mobility, recycling and many other eco-friendly measures. Because it’s all about responsibility for the entire region, the mountains and our future. And what about the women at the ÖRM? The percentage of female participants has risen by almost 50% in the last 10 years, yet it will still be just under 10% in 2025. To all women out there: just go for it, you can do it!
