On Sunday, July 31, 2022, 1,500 ambitious racing cyclists started the ARLBERG Giro in St. Anton am Arlberg under ideal conditions. The German Julia Schallau and the Austrian Stefan Kirchmair were able to win the fight for victory in the 150-kilometer race.
When the pedestrian zone in St. Anton am Arlberg fills with life before sunrise, it can only mean one thing: the ARLBERG Giro is entering the next round. Ideal conditions were announced in advance for the 11th edition on July 31, 2022. The weather kept what it promised: 1,500 participants started at 6 a.m. with mild temperatures and a cloudy sky in the direction of the Arlberg Pass. The 15 percent incline right at the start of the 150 km long race is one of the key points on the route. Fabian Gut and Felix Köhler from the Wirfueryannic eV team set an unbelievable pace here. However, the lead that was fought for was getting smaller and smaller, because a troop of 7 pursuers including Michael Spögler and ski mountaineer Daniel Ganahl was getting closer and closer. The descent down to Bludenz gave the riders little time to give their tired legs a break, because the Bielerhöhe at 2,032 meters was not long in coming.
Impressive race to catch up on the Bielerhöhe
The women also set a rapid pace: the German Julia Schallau reached Partenen, closely followed by the two Austrians Laura Rumpl and Christina Sautner as the fastest driver. However, the latter was able to take the lead during the ascent to the Bielerhöhe. The men also used the exhausting meters to the highest point for an attack. The chasing group - including Stefan Kirchmair and Anton Schiffer - fought their way to the top. "The fact that at the ARLBERG Giro ambitious hobby riders and well-known faces from the racing bike scene conquer the route side by side is a special highlight for the participants," says Martin Ebster, Director of the St. Anton am Arlberg Tourism Association.
"Queen and King of the Mountain"
The organizers have come up with a special motivational boost for the ascent to the Bielerhöhe: A second timekeeping system was installed again this year on the route from Partenen to the highest point at 2,032 meters. Christina Sautner (AUT) and Michael Spögler (ITA) completed the section the fastest and thus took the titles "Queen and King of the Mountain".
Thrilling cycling to the last meter
Accompanied by a unique mountain panorama, we then went through the Paznaun and Stanzer valleys back towards St. Anton am Arlberg. In contrast to the idyll that radiated from the landscape around the track, nervousness spread in the leading group, which had been very harmonious up to that point. On the last few meters through the pedestrian zone, Stefan Kirchmair was able to bundle his strength for a sprint towards the finish line and thus conquered the ARLBERG Giro as the winner for the first time. Just a blink of an eye later, the two Germans Anton Schiffer (2nd place) and Simon Betz (3rd place) crossed the finish line. It was no less exciting for the women: The three front runners fought a competition until the end, which the German Julia Schallau finally won. Laura Rumpl and Christina Sautner - both from Austria - crossed the finish line only a short time later.
World Press Cycling Championship 2023 at the Arlberg
Despite the 2,500 meters of altitude difference, the mood after the race was one of high spirits. The athletes and visitors as well as the organizers enjoyed the atmosphere in the pedestrian zone in St. Anton am Arlberg. “The ARLBERG Giro was a complete success. Not least because the event once again took place without an accident,” says Martin Ebster. The director of the tourism association was visibly enthusiastic about the popularity of the design presented for the first time, including the new jerseys: "We breathed new life into the 'ARLBERG Giro' brand and were able to do justice to the premium event." True to the motto "After the race is before the race" the preparations for the next edition will soon start, as Martin Ebster throws a glance ahead: "Next year we will again organize a professional criterium through the streets of St. Anton am Arlberg on the day before the race. But that is not all. The WORLD PRESS CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIP (WPCC) will be held as part of the ARLBERG Giro.” With these top events from July 27 to 30, 2023, the tourist destination will once again be the focus of the international cycling scene. www.arlberg-giro.com
Results 11th ARLBERG Giro 2022
Men's
- Stefan Kirchmair, AUT, Kirchmair Cycling (3:53:37.3)
- Anton Schiffer, GER, Speed-Ville.de (3:53:37.7)
- Simon Betz, GER, MRSC Ottenbach (3:53:38.9)
ladies
- Julia Schallau, GER, Pro Juventute / Bikesnboards (4:28:17.7)
- Laura Rumpl, AUT, hpc.at (4:28:19.3)
- Christina Sautner, AUT, Team Bike Zoo Zillertal (4:28:22)
