The 66th edition of the International Tour of Austria does credit to the land of mountains. With four mountain top finishes and a total of 14.365 meters in altitude, this year's tour is tailored to climbers and mountain specialists such as last year's winner Ricardo Zoidl (Trek Factory Racing).
The tour starts on July 6, 2014 in Tulln, from where it goes over 182 kilometers and two climbs in the direction of Sonntagberg. Here the up to 22 percent steep final ascent to the famous pilgrimage church awaits the participants. The second stage leads the Ö-Tour from Waidhofen an der Ypps via Kaiblinger Höhe, Ziehberg and Hochflecken to Bad Ischl. In the imperial city, the sprinters should come out on top. Then the longest and most difficult stage, which ends on the Kitzbüheler Horn, is on the program. For the fourth time in a row, a first preliminary decision for the tour victory can be made here. Stages 4-6 are again completely devoted to the Alps. In three days, several mountain classifications in category HC or 1, including the Großglockner and Dobratsch, are overcome. The Ö-Tour traditionally ends with an individual time trial in Podersdorf on Saturday and the final sprint on the Ringstrasse in Vienna on Sunday.
Away from the actual racing events, cycling fans are offered a lot on the tour through Austria. The "Krone Kitzhorn Challenge" race for everyone is taking place again this year on the Kitzbüheler Horn. A special spectacle awaits spectators before the official time trial in Podersdorf. Ex-professional cyclist René Haselbacher motivated numerous celebrities, such as ORF moderator Armin Assinger, to get on their bikes themselves and take part in the celebrity time trial for a good cause.