Training plan · Tirol, Austria
Ötztaler Radmarathon training plan 2027
Sunday 29 August 2027, Sölden. 227 km with 5,500 m of climbing.
In short
Give yourself 20 to 24 weeks for the Ötztaler Radmarathon on Sunday 29 August 2027, which means starting in March. It is 227 km with 5,500 m of climbing over four passes, the Kühtai, the Brenner, the Jaufenpass and the Timmelsjoch, on open roads, with checkpoints that close behind the field: in 2026 the last was on the Timmelsjoch at 19:15. The final climb is 29 km from St. Leonhard to 2,474 m, after 174 km. Places are drawn by lottery. Build long hilly days towards eight hours, practise climbing at a steady effort for an hour at a time, and pace the first three passes so the Timmelsjoch is still in you. On WattPlan's model of the course, a rider with an FTP of 230 watts weighing 75 kg rides it in about 12 h 43 min, and takes 3:13:59 on Timmelsjoch at about 151 watts.
The Ötztaler at a glance
| Date | Sunday 29 August 2027source |
|---|---|
| Start and finish | Söldensource |
| Distance (Ötztaler Radmarathon) | 227 km (141 miles), 5,500 m of climbingsource |
| Roads | Open roads: the Austrian and Italian traffic laws apply and riders must expect overtaking and oncoming traffic, though sections are closed for set times as the race passes.source |
| Start (2026) | 06:30 from Sölden in two blocks, with the first section, to Aschbach, neutralised behind the race director's car.source |
| Checkpoints (2026) | Kühtai 09:30, Brenner 12:15, Jaufenpass 14:30, St. Leonhard 15:30, Moos 16:00, Schönau 17:30 and the Timmelsjoch 19:15. Miss one and you are out of the race and ride the broom bus back to Sölden.source |
| Feed stations (2026) | Kühtai after 49 km, the Brenner at 121.5 km, the Jaufenpass at 153 km, Schönau at 191.5 km and the Seeberalm at 196 km, plus one at the finish.source |
| Places | 4,000, drawn by lottery. The organiser had more than 25,000 registrations for the 2025 draw.source |
| Entry (2026) | Registering for the draw cost €5, in January; drawn riders then paid €199 plus a €10 chip deposit. The 2027 dates and fee are not out yet.source |
| Lights | The race rules don't require lights, but the organiser advises one for the poorly lit tunnels, and the Timmelsjoch road operator says cyclists must have a working light.source |
| Bikes | Standard road or mountain bike bars only, no clip-on extensions, and no bikes with electric aids.source |
| Minimum age | 18, or 16 and 17 with a parent or guardian.source |
| Kit | A helmet, a repair kit, tools and a spare inner tube are compulsory, and warm clothing and rain protection are advised.source |
| Route file | The course on this page follows the route Ötztal Tourismus publishes on the organiser's route page.source |
The course and its climbs
Profile from the organiser's route file and its own heights (225.9 km), split into climbs, flats and descents by WattPlan. The organiser's figures are in the table above, and their route is the one that counts on the day.
Your power and time on each climb
Enter your FTP and weight and WattPlan's route model rides the course for you the way a long day is best ridden: harder on the climbs, where a watt buys the most speed, and easier on the flat, at an effort you can hold to the finish. The figures below are for 230 W and 75 kg until you do.
| Checkpoint | km | Cut-off | Your riding time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kühtaisourcekm 49, cut-off 09:30 in 2026 | 49 | 09:30 (2026) | 3 hours |
| Brennersourcekm 121.5, cut-off 12:15 in 2026 | 121.5 | 12:15 (2026) | 6 h 01 min |
| Jaufenpasssourcekm 153, cut-off 14:30 in 2026 | 153 | 14:30 (2026) | 8 h 20 min |
| St. Leonhardsourceabout km 174, cut-off 15:30 in 2026 | ~174 | 15:30 (2026) | 8 h 49 min |
| Moossourceabout km 180.8, cut-off 16:00 in 2026 | ~180.8 | 16:00 (2026) | 9 h 29 min |
| Schönausourcekm 191.5, cut-off 17:30 in 2026 | 191.5 | 17:30 (2026) | 10 h 38 min |
| Timmelsjochsourceabout km 203, cut-off 19:15 in 2026 | ~203 | 19:15 (2026) | 12 h 03 min |
Your riding time from the start, without stops and at an even effort all day: add your start time and your stops to see where you would stand.
| Climb | Summit (km) | Length | Average | Steepest | Your power | Your time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kühtaisource18.0 km at 6.7%, up to 16%, top at km 49 | 49 | 18.0 km | 6.7% | 16% | 151 W | 2:03:40 |
| Brennerpasssource37.5 km at 2.1%, up to 12%, top at km 120 | 120 | 37.5 km | 2.1% | 12% | 138 W | 2:07:06 |
| Jaufenpasssource15.5 km at 7.3%, up to 12%, top at km 154 | 154 | 15.5 km | 7.3% | 12% | 153 W | 1:51:05 |
| Timmelsjochsource29.0 km at 5.9%, up to 14%, top at km 203 | 203 | 29.0 km | 5.9% | 14% | 151 W | 3:13:59 |
Eat at about km 24, 35, 42, 49, 80, 94, 109, 121, 140, 146, 152, 176, 183, 189, 197, 202. Riding something else? The free pacing calculator does this for any route from its GPX. In the app, Route analysis adds your own fade over a long day, the wind on the day and a pacing file for your bike computer.
How long to train for the Ötztaler
Twenty to twenty-four weeks of structured training suits most riders, which means starting in March for 29 August. Places are drawn by lottery: in 2026 riders registered for the draw in January and the draws were in February and April, so build your winter base before you know you are in.
WattPlan builds the weeks from today to 29 August around the days you can ride, runs the indoor sessions on a smart trainer in the app, and adjusts the plan when a week goes wrong.
The four passes
The Kühtai comes first, from Oetz: 18 km with 1,200 m of climbing and pitches of 16%. The Brenner from Innsbruck is long and gentle, 37.5 km with 777 m, and the Jaufenpass from Sterzing is 15.5 km with 1,130 m. The Timmelsjoch decides the day: 29 km with 1,724 m from St. Leonhard to 2,474 m, with ramps of 14%, after 174 km.
Train with long seated climbs at a steady effort, building towards an hour and a half, and practise eating while you climb. Ride the Kühtai and the Jaufenpass well within yourself: the Timmelsjoch is longer than both, and comes last.
The checkpoints
In 2026 the checkpoints closed at Kühtai at 09:30, the Brenner at 12:15, the Jaufenpass at 14:30, St. Leonhard at 15:30, Moos at 16:00, Schönau at 17:30 and the Timmelsjoch at 19:15. Miss one and you are out of the race, with the broom bus back to Sölden and no finisher jersey. We'll update these times when the 2027 rules are out.
The calculator above rides the course for your FTP and weight on your own: on the Brenner and the valley roads, where riders share the work in groups, you will be quicker than it says. It does not allow for altitude either, and the top of the Timmelsjoch is above 2,000 m, where most riders hold less power than at home. Its table gives your riding time to each checkpoint: add the 06:30 start and your stops, and if the Timmelsjoch comes close, train for more power on long climbs and keep your stops short.
Open roads and the descents
The roads stay open, with sections closed for set times as the race passes, so expect traffic, oncoming on the climbs. The organiser warns of tram rails in Innsbruck, a grooved, damaged surface on the whole Jaufenpass descent and a usually very windy Timmelsjoch descent. Carry a light for the poorly lit tunnels.
Feeds and fuelling
In 2026 the feeds were at Kühtai after 49 km, the Brenner at 121.5 km, the Jaufenpass at 153 km, Schönau at 191.5 km and the Seeberalm at 196 km, high on the Timmelsjoch, plus one at the finish. Eat every 45 minutes from the start, around 60 grams of carbohydrate an hour, and keep eating on the long climbs.
Your plan to 29 August
WattPlan builds the weeks from today to Sunday 29 August 2027 around the days you can ride, and eases off before the day. Take a rider with 230 W of FTP who rides 3 to 5 hours a week now and has an hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays and up to 6 hours on Saturdays: a 24-week plan starting Monday 15 March 2027 has 11 weeks of base, 6 of build, 6 of peak and 1 of taper. It opens at 4 hours a week and builds to 11, with a longest ride of 6 hours. Pick your own days below to see yours.
Free to start, and the Ötztaler Radmarathon is filled in for you. Premium adds the whole plan to race day and adjusts it when you miss a session or ride harder than planned.
Questions riders ask
How long should I train for the Ötztaler Radmarathon?
Twenty to twenty-four weeks suits most riders, so start in March for Sunday 29 August 2027.
How hard is the Ötztaler Radmarathon?
It is 227 km with 5,500 m of climbing over the Kühtai, the Brenner, the Jaufenpass and the Timmelsjoch, on open roads. The Timmelsjoch is the last and longest climb: 29 km with 1,724 m of climbing to 2,474 m.
What are the cut-off times on the Ötztaler?
In 2026: Kühtai 09:30, Brenner 12:15, Jaufenpass 14:30, St. Leonhard 15:30, Moos 16:00, Schönau 17:30 and the Timmelsjoch 19:15. Miss one and you are out of the race.
How do I get a place in the Ötztaler Radmarathon?
Places are drawn by lottery. In 2026 riders registered for the draw in January for €5, and drawn riders paid €199. The 2027 dates and fee are not out yet.
Is the Ötztaler on closed roads?
No. The roads stay open, with sections closed for set times as the race passes, and riders must expect traffic, including oncoming traffic.
Do I need lights for the Ötztaler?
The race rules don't require them, but the organiser advises a light for the poorly lit tunnels, and the Timmelsjoch road operator says cyclists must have a working light.
More event training plans
Sources
- Ötztaler Radmarathon, official site
- Ötztaler Radmarathon rules (2026)
- Ötztaler Radmarathon entry
- Ötztaler Radmarathon route
- Ötztaler Radmarathon feed stations
- Ötztaler Radmarathon hazards
- Timmelsjoch road: cyclists
- Start (2026)
- Route file
WattPlan is not connected with the Ötztaler Radmarathon or its organiser. We've done our best to make sure everything here is accurate, from the details the organiser had published when we checked on Friday 9 October 2026, and we'll update this page as more details come out. Confirm dates, routes and rules on the official site. Times and power figures come from a physics model and are estimates, not predictions of your result.