Bicycle racing: sweat and tears - the ultimate cycling challenge

Ötztaler Cycle Marathon 2016

August 28th 2016, Soelden/Oetztal valley (Austria)

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steep Alpine passes, 238 kilometres in distance, and 5,500 metres in

altitude: on August 28, 2016, nearly 5,000 competitors from all over the

world will tackle the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon at Sölden, Tirol, Austria.

To overcome this strenuous road bicycle marathon within one day is a

one-of-a-kind challenge for the contestants. The participants will not

only fight with the tough route but also with quickly changing weather

conditions. Everything from steaming hot sunshine to ice-cold rain or,

at the altitude of 2,500 m, even some snowfall is possible, potentially

making this race even more challenging. Every one of the athletes has a

different personal motivation for his participation: a few take part to

win, some want to simply set a new personal record, and for others the

only goal is to cross the finish line. But they all have one thing in

common: when the cannon shots of the Ötztal valley’s shooting club send

them on their journey at 6:45 am, they’ll have to conquer their weaker

self more than once in the following hours.