3 HEFTE FÜR NUR 9,– EURO! - Sölden

A RIDE TO HELL
AND HAPPINESS
The Ötztaler Cycle Marathon, now in its 29th
year, has been growing more and more
popular every year. All racers who make it to
the finish are winners, and the winners are
the true heroes of the roads winding through
the picturesque landscapes of South and
North Tirol.
Training methods and technical
equipment have changed greatly
since 1982, when the Ötztaler Cycle
Marathon was staged for the first
time. Today athletes train according
to strict schedules worked out by
experts, and many of the bicycles
have unbelievable 30 gears to
make climbing the long and steep
mountain passes easier. What all racers have
in common is their high motivation and their
determination to fight. Some fight for win,
others just to pass the last checkpoint on
Timmelsjoch pass before it closes at 7.30 pm.
Those who don‘t make it in time are forced
to abandon their bikes on Timmelsjoch and
board a transport vehicle back to Sölden.
After a feeling of dejection over the failure,
Heroes are
doomed
to suffer
before they
win.
most racers immediately start making new
plans for the next year. Back home they can
tell the most incredible stories about this
tough mountain race.
There are twelve masseurs along the race
course waiting to sooth achy muscles. A
wide range of measures are provided for
a speed recovery of the muscles
as well as energized drinks to
ease cramps. Racers can choose
from 13 different drinks with
each participant disposing of 12.5
liters. There are two food and
one water stations along the last
and most difficult 29 km long
climb from St. Leonhard in the
Passeiertal (700 m) up to Timmelsjoch pass
(2509 m). „Please, Red Bull with water“, is
what volunteers hear most often here. The
race organizers provide some 20,000 cans
of this energy drink that is said to „give you
wings“. In past races not a single can was
returned, but – at least in friendly weather –
90% of the racers managed to take this last
hurdle on their way to the finish.