Sebastian Mayr (GER) and Lilian KUster (SUI) are the winners (m/f) of the 6th edition of the Race Around Niederösterreich. Defending champion Philipp Kaider from Wolkersdorf crowned himself Austrian champion amidst a magnificent backdrop at the start and finish location in Weitra.
Ideal conditions, great atmosphere, exciting decisions, and a record
On Friday, May 10th, at 4 pm, it was time. The first rider set off at the start and finish location in Weitra on the 600km diverse route around Lower Austria. The sun shone alongside more than 150 participants, who set off in two-minute intervals to circumnavigate Austria’s largest federal state.
While in the women’s category Lilian Kuster (SUI) made it clear from the start that she aimed to compete for victory in her second solo attempt, in the men’s category, a close battle for the prestigious win unfolded. German Sebastian Mayr and defending champion Philipp Kaider matched each other at a high level, with intervals of 2 to 3 minutes. Low temperatures reaching 2°C at night in the Vienna Basin, did not change that. On the last 100 kilometers, Kaider realized that he couldn’t catch up with last year’s fifth-place finisher. Mayr ultimately secured the victory with a comfortable 26-minute lead over Kaider. Kaider himself thus crowned himself Austrian Ultra Champion. “I’m really happy about becoming Austrian Champion because I was missing that title. Of course, it would have been even nicer with a win, but Sebastian was just too strong,” said Kaider. Kuster, who lives in Tulln, won in the women’s category.
The decision for the 2-person teams was also exciting. Not the decision for the victory but whether a new course record would be set. The team Sareno ElektroReindl (Christian Oberngruber and Michael Hofer) found out only a few kilometers before the finish through the race’s live stream, which a support person in the car followed, that they were on course for a record. Ultimately, they managed to break the course record by three minutes, finishing in 16 hours and 10 minutes. The fastest time in the 3-person team category was achieved this year for the third time after 2019 and 2020 by the team OÖ Kinderkrebshilfe.
New category, new hotspot
A new category was introduced this year with the 2-person unsupported category. Nine teams embarked on the adventure of circumnavigating Lower Austria without a support crew. They were only allowed to provide for themselves (without external assistance). At the new hotspot in St. Aegyd am Neuwalde, where all participants (supported and unsupported) had to make a mandatory stop, the only option was to deposit a box with food and clothing before the race. Amidst a great atmosphere and a morning pub vibe, everyone was welcomed and sent off for the last 140km.
Weitra becomes the location for the European Championship
There was great news for the organizers already one day before the race started. The World Ultra Cycling Association (WUCA) awarded the European Championship to the Race Around Lower Austria for next year. It will take place on May 16th/17th, 2025.