On Sunday, August 31st, the 44th Ötztaler Cycling Marathon will take place and is widely regarded as the toughest cycling marathon in the Alps. Around 4,000 cyclists will line up in Sölden to tackle the demanding 227-kilometer course, which includes 5,500 meters of climbing over the Kühtaisattel, Brenner, Jaufenpass, and Timmelsjoch before returning to the start in Sölden. The “Ötztaler” continues to captivate the cycling world, with a record-breaking 25,198 registration requests this year confirming its status as the ultimate challenge.
The 2025 edition features an exceptional lineup. Defending champion Jack Burke (CAN) will fight to retain his crown, challenged by last year’s runner-up Hans Jörg Leopold (AUT) and third-place finisher Stefano Cecchini (ITA). They will be joined by three-time MTB Marathon World Champion Alban Lakata (AUT), former Tour de France rider Johnny Hoogerland (NED), Loïc Ruffaut (FRA), and Austria’s Daniel Federspiel. Beyond the cycling elite, the race will also feature well-known figures from the wider world of mountain sports. Former Italian ski stars Werner Heel and Manfred Mölgg, both World Cup winners on the slopes, will line up to test themselves on two wheels, underlining the prestige and allure that the Ötztaler holds across disciplines.
In the women’s field, double defending champion Janine Meyer (GER) returns, having set new course records in both of her previous victories, including breaking her own record last year. She faces strong competition from Catherine Rossmann (GER), the 2022 winner who missed last year’s edition but is back aiming for a podium spot. With these two top contenders in the mix, the fight for the women’s title promises to be intense.
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