{"id":295423,"date":"2026-08-24T13:45:48","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T11:45:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/presse.tirol.at\/?p=295423"},"modified":"2026-08-24T15:27:34","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T13:27:34","slug":"a-celebration-of-cycling-and-diversity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/presse.tirol.at\/en\/a-celebration-of-cycling-and-diversity\/295423\/","title":{"rendered":"A Celebration of Cycling and Diversity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

10th Kufsteinerland Radmarathon inspires with participation record, high proportion of women and new course record<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kufstein \/ Tyrol \u2013 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Right on time at 7:30 a.m., the starting signal was given at the Oberer Stadtplatz in Kufstein for the anniversary edition of the Kufsteinerland Cycling Marathon. © Kufsteinerland \/ Maximilian Kuen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2013 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 \u2013 making the community the club with the largest number of participants in the race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe 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,\u201d says Georg H\u00f6rhager, chairman of the Kufsteinerland Tourism Association. Organiser Frank Rietzler adds: \u201c1,800 starters are a fantastic confirmation. However, our priority remains top-level organisation with high quality and maximum safety for all participants.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pictured from left to right: Georg H\u00f6rhager, chairman of the Kufsteinerland Tourism Association; Lina Schneewei\u00df, program manager at the Kufsteinerland Tourism Association; and Thomas Krimbacher, sports director for the City of Kufstein. © Kufsteinerland \/ Maximilian Kuen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From marathon to handbike<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right on time at 7:30 a.m., the starting signal sounded at \u201cOberer Stadtplatz\u201d, 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: \u201cIt 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.\u201d Lina Schneewei\u00df, theme manager at the Kufsteinerland Tourism Association, is also convinced by the diversity of the event: \u201cIt is important to us to offer the right challenge for different needs \u2013 from the ambitious cycling marathon and shorter distances to e-bike and handbike. We are open to everyone who enjoys cycling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Benjamin Hundsbichler was thrilled: \u201cIt\u2019s great that there\u2019s a separate handbike category at my home race. I hope this will make the Kufsteinerland Cycling Marathon a role model for other races.\u201d © Kufsteinerland \/ Michael Meindl<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Filensky prevails in the women\u2019s race<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the premier 120-kilometre distance, Brigitte Filensky dictated the women\u2019s 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\u2019s 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 Kleins\u00f6ll near Breitenbach and up to Brandenberg provided opportunities for attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A special highlight along the route: the impressive scenery around Lake Thiersee. © Kufsteinerland \/ Maximilian Kuen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2013 meaning all three podium places on the marathon route went to Germany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Winners of the marathon course, from left to right: Lisa Hartung (2nd place), Brigitte Filensky (1st place), and Tjade Scharer (3rd place) © Kufsteinerland \/ O&K Kommunikation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Oberngruber goes solo to a new course record<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The men\u2019s race also started at a high pace. Last year\u2019s winner Ren\u00e9 Pammer, Christian Oberngruber and Germany\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s Jasper Britz prevailing over local favourite Max Kuen. Kuen was impressed by the sporting level of the anniversary edition: \u201cThe race gets more challenging every year \u2013 this year it was faster than ever before. We had a top-class field and really strong competitors, both in the women\u2019s and men\u2019s races.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Winners of the marathon course, from left to right: local hero Max Kuen (3rd place), Christian Oberngruber (1st place), and Jasper Britz (2nd place). © Kufsteinerland \/ Maximilian Kuen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Three days of cycling festivities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u201cCappuccino Ride\u201d, former professional cyclist Max Kuen and his group rode at a relaxed pace. The \u201cWelcome Ride by female cycling force\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2013 both in sporting terms and for the future development of the Kufsteinerland Radmarathon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The anniversary weekend filled the streets and created a fantastic atmosphere in the fortress town of Kufstein. © Kufsteinerland \/ Maximilian Kuen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Results<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cycling Marathon (120 km):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Brigitte Filensky (Germany- ) 3:18:03.6
2. Lisa Hartung (Germany-) 3:18:40.1
3. Tjade Scharer (Germany-) 3:24:58.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Christian Oberngruber (Austria)- 2:59:22.8
2. Jasper Britz (Germany-) 3:03:07.7
3. Maximilian Kuen (Austria-) 3:03:07.9<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Panorama Route (48 km):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Jessica Pieper (Germany \u2013 R.C. Die Schwalben M\u00fcnchen) 1:20:54.8
2. Julia J\u00e4ger (Germany) 1:21:13.4
3. Madeleine Vieter (Austria \u2013 Nordic Team Absam) 1:23:10.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Christian Schmitt (Austria \u2013 RCC\/Lindi Bike Race-Team) 1:14:33.8
2. Michael Reisecker (Austria \u2013 NEUBIKE Racing) 1:14:36.6
3. Bernhard Mair (Austria \u2013 moveeffect TOMORIS UCT O\u00d6) 1:15:09.9<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lake Circuit (95 km):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Nina Gunther (Germany \u2013 Sturmvogel M\u00fcnchen) 2:35:41.1
2. Sophia Moosbrugger (Austria) 2:38:35.7
3. Johanna Brand (Germany) 2:43:33.7<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Johannes Lener (Austria \u2013 Radgut Bikestore & Werkstore) 2:21:35.3
2. Marcel Machner (Austria \u2013 RSV 1895 Passau) 2:21:35.5
3. Fabian Reischenb\u00f6ck (Austria \u2013 RSV Atterbiker) 2:21:37.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Handbike (48 km<\/strong>):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Cornelia Wibmer (Austria) 1:44:53.8
2. Emma Krabath (Austria) 2:59:19.4
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Alexander Gritsch (Austria) 1:23:12.5
2. Elmar Sternath (Germany) 1:45:04.7
3. Benjamin Hundsbichler (Austria) 1:46:27.8<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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