# Adverse conditions at the Ötztaler...
This year, the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon lived up to its reputation as the most difficult cycle marathon in the Alps. In adverse weather conditions, many of the starters from 34 nations were unimpressed by the hardships and completed the 238 kilometers.
# At the end of the race the sun came out.
A total of 24 riders were together up to Gasteig at the beginning of the Jaufpass and kept the pace high. United in this leading group were the most well-known names of the marathon scene as well as top Tyrolean cyclists and former professional cyclists. Jörg Ludewig, last year's winner Stefan Kirchmair, Ötztal's Emanuel Nösig, the two strong Italians Enrico Zen and Roberto Cunico and the Belgian Bart Bury then pulled away from the 24-man lead group up to the Jaufenpass and also drove together from St. Leonhard to the decisive one Ascent to the Timmelsjoch. This is where the decision was made when Cunico and Ludewig increased the pace.
# The two lonely front runners on the Timmelsjoch.
Together they drove over the Timmelsjoch and raced towards Sölden on a dry route. On the last small climb shortly after Zwieselstein, Cunico was able to cover the decisive 100 meters and then arrive in Sölden as the winner. The Italian's winning time: 7:13:06 hours.
# Roberto Cunico was the first to reach Sölden.
At the finish, the man from near Treviso could no longer hold back his tears. Cunico had tried several times to win the race. "I've had the dream of winning the Ötztaler for ten years. Today I'm really in seventh heaven", he explains. “I would like to thank Enrico Zen in particular, but also Jörg Ludewig. We ran the race together and Jörg was supposed to stand with me on the top step of the podium.”
Only twelve seconds behind Cunico, Ludewig took second place. "This year at the Transalp I felt that I was in good shape, but I never dreamed of getting on the podium", he explains.
The women also delivered outstanding performances. A total of 154 riders started, of which Monika Dietl from Freising proved to be the strongest. It took her 8:29:43 hours to cover the distance.
//Photos: Ötztal tourism
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