From June 19 to 22, the Schladming-Dachstein region will once again take center stage in the international mountain bike scene. The 26th edition of the Alpentour Trophy promises a spectacular UCI S1 stage race, attracting around 500 riders from over 24 nations – a true showcase of MTB elites and ambitious amateur athletes.
“We’re heading into this year’s edition with great anticipation – the courses are set, the weather forecast looks promising, and the field is very mixed,” says organizer and former pro cyclist Gerhard Schönbacher. “There are many new faces at the start – we’re excited to see who can challenge the front and whether the top names from recent years will dominate again.”
High stakes and big names – who will make the podium in 2025?
This year’s race is shaping up to be another top-tier competition. In the men’s elite, four-time overall winner Héctor Leonardo Paez (ITA) returns as one of the most successful riders in Alpentour history. His strongest challenger is likely Filip Rydval (CZE), a proven climber who won a stage and set a new climb record to Schafalm in 2024. Other contenders include Marek Rauchfuss (CZE) and Juri Ragnoli (ITA) – both seasoned marathon specialists.
From an Austrian perspective, Hermann Pernsteiner und Michael Holland is to watch. Holland was the top domestic rider in 2024 and could realistically aim for a top-10 finish this year.
On the women’s side, reigning champion Adelheid Morath (GER) will defend her title against Milena Kalašová (CZE), who impressed in 2024 with consistent performances and a stage win. Marlies Feichtenhofer (AUT), who reached the overall podium in 2023, also returns and may shake up the leaderboard on a strong day.
Four stages, one goal: the limit
The Alpentour Trophy is all about high-level alpine MTB racing: four demanding stages, each 50–70 kilometers long, packed with steep climbs, fast descents and technical singletrack. In total, riders will face over 9,000 vertical metersacross four days. The route winds through the stunning mountain terrain of Schladming-Dachstein, with stages on Hauser Kaibling, Ramsau, Reiteralm, and concludes with the iconic hill climb time trial to Schafalm on the Planai.
Each stage starts in Schladming’s main square, with finishes (except the final TT) at the Planai stadium, offering optimal infrastructure for spectators and media alike.
One Day Marathon & City Sprint: racing for all
Beyond the elite competition, the Alpentour Trophy once again offers a vibrant side program. The One Day Alpentour Marathon, taking place on Saturday, June 21, gives amateur riders a chance to soak up the racing atmosphere – with three distances from 13 to 59 km, there’s something for every level.
Also on Saturday, the City Sprint for kids aged 3 and up will return at 10:15 a.m. in Schladming’s town center. Now a fixture in the program, the event is organized in collaboration with local schools. Co-organizer Regina Stanger shares her enthusiasm: “Our youngest riders deserve the spotlight just as much as the pros – that’s exactly what the City Sprint is about.”
Four days of world-class racing in a high-alpine setting
As an official UCI S1 Stage Race, the Alpentour Trophy is one of Europe’s premier multi-day MTB events. The combination of long climbs, technical sections, and alpine terrain demands peak fitness, skill and strategy.
With a top international start list and a region that offers both stunning scenery and ideal infrastructure, the Alpentour Trophy will once again be a true benchmark on the international mountain bike calendar in 2025.