WOF 2015#37: Oetztaler Cycle Marathon 2015

Bicycle racing: Extreme Cycling Classic in the Oetztal Valley

Oetztaler Cycle Marathon 2015

August 2015, Soelden/Oetztal valley (Austria)


From a race for enthusiasts, the race has grown to a prestigious classic mountain race with countless cycling professionals as well as legends. Covering four steep Alpine passes, 5,500 metres in altitude, and 238 kilometres of distance on one day, this road bike classic is one of the toughest races of its kind. More than 4,000 amateur bicycle racers from 30 nations will take part in 2015, and they all have a different personal motivation: a few take part to win, some want to set a new personal record, and for others the only goal is to cross the finish line at all. But one thing is the same for everyone of them: when the cannon shots of the Oetztal valley's shooting club send them on their journey at 6:45 am on August 30th 2015, a meeting with their weaker self lasting for hours is in store for them. The fastest riders will reach the finish after seven hours, while the slowest will need the double time to triumph over this back-breaking round course through Tyrol, Austria, and South Tyrol, Italy.