Updated on 25.08.2024
Pure adrenaline at the 8th Kufsteinerland Cycle Marathon on 25 August 2024! 1.245 cycling enthusiasts started on the three routes, with the marathon route proving to be a real highlight. A leading trio broke away from the field of participants early on and fought a fast-paced neck-and-neck race along the route. After a tactical attack, Max Kirschner was able to pull away from his rivals shortly before Kufstein and crossed the finish line at the Oberer Stadtplatz as the winner. Elisabeth Fladerer dominated the women's race right from the start and secured a commanding victory.
On 25 August 2024, the Kufsteinerland Cycle Marathon entered its 8th round - and kept spectators and participants on the edge of their seats. International participants from 25 nations lined up at the start on the upper town square in Kufstein and tackled the three different routes, all of which were accompanied by the impressive panorama in and around Kufsteinerland. The weather was also on the participants' side: Although the clouds steadily increased after the starting signal at 7.30 am, the majority of the participants were able to stay dry.
The supporting programme at the upper town square in Kufstein, where the participants rolled into the finish line to thunderous applause, crowned the event. The perfect blend of sport, culture and Tyrolean hospitality made the 8th Kufsteinerland Cycle Marathon an unforgettable event for everyone involved. "The Kufsteinerland Cycle Marathon has become an integral part of our event calendar," says Georg Hörhager, Chairman of the Kufsteinerland Tourism Association. "It's not just about the competition, but about the combination of sport and nature - and of course about togetherness," adds Frank Rietzler, organiser of the Kufsteinerland Cycle Marathon.
On the challenging 120 km marathon route with 1,800 metres of elevation gain, a leading trio formed early on and cycled ahead with a clear lead. On the second big climb up to Brandenberg, the favourites clearly emerged: Tyrolean Jonas Holzknecht, his fellow Tyrolean Max Kirschner and German Pascal Wiederhold raced neck-and-neck - sometimes with one at the front, sometimes with the other. With tactical overtaking manoeuvres and alternating attempts to hang on, the leading trio made their way back through the Unterinntal valley towards Kufstein. However, Max Kirschner used the last minimal climb in the Kufstein forest to finally break away from his rivals. His powerful attack shortly before the return to the fortress town left the competition no chance - Kirschner continuously extended his lead and crossed the finish line on the upper town square in Kufstein in first place. Jonas Holzknecht secured second place on the winner's podium, with Pascal Wiederhold in third place.
In the women's race, the lead was clear after a short time: Elisabeth Fladerer pulled away from the other participants early on and ran the marathon course accompanied by a group of men who formed around her during the race. Fladerer dominated the field until the finish and celebrated an impressive solo victory. Second-placed Larissa Stupniki and third-placed Martina Putz crossed the finish line almost 4 minutes behind the winner.
In the men's 95 km Lakes Tour, an Austrian team came out on top: Johannes Lener was ahead on the picture-book route with 1160 metres of elevation gain and secured first place, Florian Dagn second and Daniel Knapp third. In the women's race, the German Nina Gunther took first place on the podium. Austria's Janine Speringer took second place and Germany's Franziska Geiger third.
The 48-kilometre panoramic loop offered amateur and professional cyclists the perfect combination of sporting challenge and enjoyment of nature in Kufsteinerland. However, the relaxed character of this loop did not hide the sporting ambitions of some of the participants. Christian Schmitt, winner of the panoramic round, crossed the finish line after 1 hour and 11 seconds, closely followed by second-placed Michael Reisecker and third-placed Maximilian Rosenthal. Amy Ellinger won the women's race. At the young age of 13, she was also the youngest participant in this year's Kufsteinerland Cycle Marathon.
The 8th Kufsteinerland Cycle Marathon was more than just a sporting competition - it was a celebration for everyone. "The race showed once again why Kufsteinerland is one of the top cycling destinations. The combination of sporting challenge and the impressive natural backdrop is unique," says Georg Hörhager.
Special thanks go to the main sponsor of the event, Sparkasse Kufstein.
Results Kufsteinerland Cycle Marathon:
Men:
1 place: Max Kirschner, AUT, Racing Team Haiming, 3:07:32.02 place: Jonas Holzknecht, AUT, Tirol KTM Cycling Team, 3:07:49.03 place: Pascal Wiederhold, GER, EIC-Bike, 3:07:53
Ladies:
1 place: Elisabeth Fladerer, GER, RV Phönix Augsburg, 3:29:13.02 place: Larissa Stupnicki, GER, RSV Götting Bruckmühl, 3:33:10.73 place: Martina Putz, AUT, VERGE VICC Womens Racing, 3:33:10.9
Results Lakes Tour:
Men:
1 place: Johannes Lener, AUT, Jenbacher Factory Cycling Team, 2:22:15.92 place: Florian Dagn, AUT, Radsport Stranger Kitzbühel, 2:22:18.73 place: Daniel Knapp, AUT, /, 2:22:24.1
Ladies:
1 place: Nina Gunther, GER, Radsyndikat - SQLab, 2:41:16.52 place: Janine Speringer, AUT, Sportunion Kaumberg, 2:45:26.13 place: Franziska Geiger, GER, Medius-Schaechmeier-BikeBase Team, 2:45:26.6
Results panorama lap:
Men:
1 place: Christian Schmitt, AUT, RCC / Lindi Bike Race-Team, 1:11:39.82 place: Michael Reisecker, AUT, neubike.at, 1:11:41.13 place: Maximilian Rosenthal, GER, Eisenharz, 1:11:41.2
Ladies:
1 place: Amy Ellinger, AUT, eldoRADo Biketeam, 1:26:12.82 place: Julia Schütz, GER, /, 1:27:1313.73 place: Annalena Schmid, AUT, TRI Mittersill, 1:28:30.7