Bicycle racing: tough, tougher, Oetztal!

Ötztaler Cycle Marathon 2010

August 29th 2010, Soelden/Oetztal valley (Austria)

A few take part to win, some want to set a new personal record, and for others the only goal is to reach the finish line at all: 4,000 amateur bicycle racers from 31 nations take part in the Ötztaler Radmarathon 2010, and everyone has a different personal motivation. But one thing is the same for all of them: when the cannon shots of the Oetztal valley's shooting club send them on their journey at 6:45 am, a meeting with their weaker self lasting for hours is in store for them. On their round trip through Tyrol, Austria, and South Tyrol, Italy, the participants will have to struggle with a course offering 5,500 metres in altitude, four passes, 238 kilometres of distance and 66 switchbacks. The fastest riders will reach the finish after seven hours while the slowest will need the double time to triumph over this back-breaking course.