Kufsteinerland Bike Marathon 2023 Photo Report
04.09.23 10:34 422023-09-04T10:34:00+02:00Text: Pressetext ofp, NoMan (translated by AI)Photos: Michael MeindlTitle defense, record participation, and decent pace in the seventh edition of the power showdown on three routes around the fortress city.04.09.23 10:34 442023-09-04T10:34:00+02:00Kufsteinerland Bike Marathon 2023 Photo Report
04.09.23 10:34 442023-09-04T10:34:00+02:00 Pressetext ofp, NoMan (translated by AI) Michael MeindlTitle defense, record participation, and decent pace in the seventh edition of the power showdown on three routes around the fortress city.04.09.23 10:34 442023-09-04T10:34:00+02:00
More than 1000 endurance heroines and heroes, thus more than ever before, pedaled away on Sunday, September 3rd, at the Kufsteinerland Cycling Marathon. On three different routes, they could show how much power was in their legs.
After a rapid catch-up, local hero Maximilian Kuen sprinted to victory in the premier class in an exciting photo finish for the third time. Among the women, Martina Putz from Vienna was the fastest.
The cursed seventh year turned out to be darn good
TVB Chairman Georg Hörhager on participation record, perfect weather, and atmosphere
Not only the weather played along at the 7th Kufsteinerland Cycling Marathon. From a sporting perspective, everything was also perfect: Even at the seventh edition of the one-day event, there were again three circuits to choose from, catering to every fitness level - the most challenging of which was 120 kilometers and 1,800 meters in elevation.
On this marathon distance, Thierseer Maximilian Kuen narrowly won the final sprint after more than three hours of riding time, just ahead of last year's third-place finisher Dennis Biederer (GER) and the Vorarlberg ski mountaineer Daniel Ganahl. After 2019 and 2022, it was Kuen's third triumph at his home race.
For a long time, however, it seemed as if the victory of the Kufsteinerland Cycling Marathon would not be in Austrian hands for the first time. Almost single-handedly, the German Simon Betz covered about two-thirds of the distance. The decision was ultimately not made on the mountain, but just before the end, when a quartet around defending champion Max Kuen launched an attack.
An indescribable feeling
Men's winner Max Kuen after triumph No. 3
Early Lead, Rapid Comeback
Upon reaching the top, Simon Betz immediately made a decisive move. The 30-year-old launched an attack after the first few kilometers and overtook his leading compatriot Martin Gluth.
After that, the route continued on flat terrain towards Reintaler See to Kramsach, where a black-red-gold leading group formed around Simon Betz, Oliver Krogloth, Alex Schnerruw, and Marius Enzinger. Just before the challenging climb in Brandenberg, Betz managed to take over the race command again.
As a soloist, he covered a steep 400 meters of elevation within 3.5 kilometers, gaining a considerable lead over his competitors. He maintained this lead for a long time – at one point, almost three minutes separated him from his pursuers. Overall, Betz rode confidently and alone at the front for about an hour before a four-man group of chasers gradually approached him. The group, consisting of Jakob Hartmann and Dennis Biederer (both GER), ski mountaineer Daniel Ganahl (AUT), and local hero Maximilian Kuen, started pedaling hard from Radfeld and set a rapid pace – leading to an exciting final sprint.
The sprint for the victory could not have been more thrilling – ultimately, a photo finish had to decide. Defending champion Maximilian Kuen had the better endurance after 3 hours, 7 minutes, and 30 seconds, crossing the finish line just a few centimeters ahead of the second-placed Dennis Biederer (GER). Thus, the 31-year-old achieved the "hat trick" at the Kufsteinerland Radmarathon. "To finish like this in front of my own front door – there's hardly anything better. An indescribable feeling," he laughed overjoyed at the finish.
Simon Betz had to give up a lot of ground after a strong race in the end and finished in 5th place.
Women's Winner: Reunion Brings Joy
Just under 21 minutes after the fastest man, the sovereign ladies' winner Martina Putz reached the finish line. The woman from Vienna has already achieved several successes this year, but the endorphin release at the Kufsteinerland Cycling Marathon is something very special: "I rode my very first bike race here in 2018. To stand on the podium today is something I would not have dared to dream of,” she was delighted.
Putz triumphed after three hours, 28 minutes, and 49 seconds, narrowly ahead of the German Daniela Kratzer. Third place went to Belinda Holzer from Styria. "It was quite a piece of work to gradually distance my competitors, but I definitely had the most respect for the descents,” concluded the radiant winner.
I rode my first ever bike race here in 2018.
Ladies Marathon Winner Martina Putz
To be continued in 2024
In addition to the king's discipline, two other disciplines were on the program. In the 95-kilometer lake circuit, which largely corresponds to the marathon but omits the strenuous excursion to Brandenberg, Niklas Wellmann (GER, 2:24:31.6) and Nina Gunther (GER, 2:41:32.3) were ahead.
All those who wanted a more leisurely pace opted for the 48 km panoramic circuit, where Andre Resch (AUT, 1:13:50.6) and Eva Neukamm (GER, 1:22:45.8) posted the fastest time.
Georg Höhrhager, chairman of the Kufsteinerland tourism association, spoke of a very special "tingle" that the bike marathon evokes anew each year: "The atmosphere has been amazing for days. The cursed seventh year turned out to be darn good – with 1,000 participants, as many as never before have followed our invitation."
His sights are already set on the 8th edition, which is likely to take place again on the first Sunday in September.
In total, this year saw participants from 27 nations, including athletes from Europe as well as participants from the USA, New Zealand, Malaysia, South America, the United Arab Emirates, and Japan. The age range was a full 60 years – the oldest participant was born in 1948, the youngest in 2008.
All results at myraceresult.com.
More information at www.kufsteinerland-radmarathon.at
