Podcast

Dreams, goals and life in professional cycling with Toni Palzer

From professional ski mountaineer to professional cyclist: Toni Palzer swaps touring skis for a racing bike and talks about the transition from lone fighter to team player. Why (realistic) goals are not only important in professional sports and how preparation and nutrition are organized at the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon? Listen now.

Training, training, training with BORA-hansgrohe head coach Dan Lorang

“Even as a coach, you need a certain amount of stamina": no one knows this better than BORA-hansgrohe Head Coach Dan Lorang. Born in Luxembourg, he is one of the most successful coaches in endurance sports today. So it's no wonder that the interview is all about training: what the annual build-up for the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon could look like and what role the mental aspect plays in it - that's what you'll hear in episode 2.

In mental flow with mindset coach Eva Dollinger

Eva Dollinger knows only too well how important the right mindset is on the road to success. The former Austrian triathlete, multiple national champion, two-time Olympic participant and Ironman winner now passes on her wealth of experience to athletes as a mental coach. In an interview with podcast host Marco Brugger, the mother of three talks about the mental aspect of the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon, how to deal with fears and blockages and how to face the emptiness after day X. Listen in now!

Chasing records with extreme sportsman Michael Strasser

This path will not be an easy one: What applies to the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon applies all the more to Michael Strasser's challenges. In this episode, the Austrian long-distance cyclist and three-time world record holder talks about his solo adventures on his bike, which have taken him from Alaska to Patagonia and up the seven highest mountains in the seven Alpine countries. In conversation with podcast host Marco, he reveals what motivates him to undertake such projects, how he prepares for them and what ONE tip he would give to “Ötzi” participants.

Withstanding the pressure with ex-biathlete Dominik Landertinger

Keeping calm under extreme pressure: The Austrian former biathlete and nine-time medal winner Dominik Landertinger has proven time and again in his career how to do this. The 36-year-old also answers the questions in episode 5 of the ÖRM podcast with unerring accuracy and talks about how he “pulled the plug” on his first “Ötzi” attempt before the Timmelsjoch “final boss”.

Behind the scenes with the OC management

What does it take to successfully organize an event like the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon? The art of organization and teamwork, that's for sure! In this episode we bring those in front of the curtain (and the microphone) whose work is essential, but usually happens behind the scenes. The “dream duo” Heike Klotz and Dominic Kuen give us an insight into the planning, coordination and logistics of THE summer event in Sölden. And share a funny anecdote or two from the past.

Live from Sölden with Thomas Dreßen & Désirée Ehrler

Live podcast to listen to: On the eve of the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon 2024, former German ski pro Thomas Dreßen and former cyclist Désirée Ehrler from Switzerland met up in the Freizeit Arena sports hall. The two spoke to podcast host Marco in front of an interested audience about their love of cycling and the “Ötztaler” legend.

In the broom wagon with participant Jürgen Sponer

Shared suffering is half suffering: In episode 8 of the ÖRM podcast, host Marco, who successfully finished the race, and non-finisher Jürgen talk about their experiences at the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon 2024. What were the problems? What might have gone wrong in the preparation? And how do you train without mountains on your doorstep? The two “fellow sufferers” answer all these questions and more in the latest issue.

On Grand Tour

In this episode, we welcome Felix Gall, currently Austria's best professional road cyclist. The 26-year-old East Tyrolean “climbed” into the limelight in 2023 with his victory in the queen stage of the Tour de France and was named Austria's Sportsman of the Year. In an interview with podcast host Marco, he talks about the challenges that come with such success, describes his career from child to professional and talks about the pressure in competitive sport, which he knows only too well as captain of the AG2R Decathlon cycling team.

At the service of the team with Marco Haller

Teamwork makes the dream work: that sums up the ideology of professional cyclist Marco Haller. The 33-year-old Carinthian, honoured as Austria's Cyclist of the Year 2024, is the epitome of a noble helper. And feels right at home in this role, as he explains in the interview. He also talks to host Marco about the Tour de France and his personal highlight of the season, the Olympic Games in Paris, where he impressed with 6th place in the road race. The question of whether and in what role an Ötzi participation is an option for him is also clarified.

Women's power in a male domain with Christina Schweinberger

The chemistry between Christina Schweinberger and her road racing bicycle is just right. This fact is confirmed not least by her bronze medal in the individual time trial at the 2023 World Championships. In this series, the 28-year-old trained chemical laboratory technician from Tirol talks about women in cycling and her own rocky road to becoming a professional, which was loaded with financial and organizational hurdles. She also looks back on her participation in the 2024 Olympics, revealing why the classic Paris-Roubaix is her favorite race despite its toughness.

Highs & lows in professional cycling with Lukas Pöstlberger

From his first Austrian stage win at the Giro d'Italia to becoming a professional cyclist without a contract: in this episode of the ÖRM podcast, Lukas Pöstlberger talks openly about the cycling business, its downsides and why he couldn't go any further. In conversation with Marco, “Pösti” describes how to train as an athlete without a contract and how to simulate the stress of racing. The Upper Austrian also reveals why he thinks Tadej Pogacar is the best cyclist of all time and why he doesn't want to return to the professional circuit.

Savour the taste with nutrition expert Judith Haudum

It's not just love that goes through the stomach, performance does too. This episode of the ÖRM podcast is all about nutrition in (elite) sport. Our guest is Judith Haudum, an expert in sports nutrition and sports science. She talks to host Marco about the right nutrition for road cycling and what needs to be taken into account during the training phase. The questions of which nutrients are particularly relevant and whether supplements are of any use at all in competitive sport are also answered in the interview.

Full throttle with ÖRM course record holder Janine Meyer

How do you manage the balancing act between a 40-hour job, training and a relationship - and win the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon at the same time? Janine Meyer gives exclusive insights into her everyday life, her training plan and her preparation. Together with her husband and coach, she plans training camps, strategies and goals. In the talk, she reveals how she acclimatises before the race, what's behind her impressive wattage values and what big goals await her in 2025.

In record time with ÖRM winner Mathias Nothegger

With a time of 06:47:02 hours, set in 2019, the Vorarlberg native still holds the course record at the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon. In an interview with podcast host Marco, the ‘Canarian Hulk’ looks back on this very special day in detail. In addition, the climbing specialist talks about his beginnings (and first races) in cycling and gives insights into his coaching activities - including tips from his active time on the saddle.

Across the USA with RAAM participant Lukas Kaufmann

Cycling from California to New Jersey in nine days: in this episode, Lukas Kaufmann gives an impressive account of his participation in the ‘ultra-long’ Race Across America (RAAM). In an interview with host Marco, he reveals what it feels like to pedal through the Nevada desert at an outside temperature of 45 degrees (and a core body temperature of 39.4 degrees), what sleep deprivation does to you and what thoughts were running through his head as he crossed the finish line. Why does he go to such lengths and what does he expect from his participation in the ÖRM25? Listen in now and find out more!

Training secrets with Helmut Dollinger

In this episode, we welcome sports scientist and trainer Helmut Dollinger, known for his work with top athletes and ambitious amateur sports enthusiasts. Together, we take an in-depth look at the differences between professional and amateur training. Helmut provides exclusive insights into training management, talks about typical mistakes in preparation and explains why targeted recovery is just as important as pushing your own limits. Plus: final tips for anyone taking on the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon.

Live with Jana Kesenheimer and Benny Karl

Live podcast to re-listen to: At the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon 2025, there were once again exciting insights with ultra-cyclist Jana Kesenheimer and Olympic snowboard champion Benjamin Karl. Together with podcast host Marco, the two athletes talked on stage (in front of a packed hall) about the fascination of road cycling in general and their approach to the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon in particular.

Everything for the dream with Thomas Mayer

How far would you go for your dream? In the latest podcast episode, Ötztaler finisher Thomas Mayer talks about how he completely changed his life for this challenge: no alcohol, a targeted diet and intensive training. In 2024, he finally fulfilled his dream of completing the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon. He speaks openly about the mental struggle during training and the deep emotions he felt at the Timmelsjoch – an inspiring story about perseverance, determination and pure fulfilment. It's worth a listen!

Reaching the goal of his dreams with ÖRM winner 2025 Daniel Federspiel

From nightmare to triumph: In the current episode, the Imst native looks back on the 2024 Ötztaler, which he had to abandon after just 40 minutes due to a technical defect. The ‘bike all-rounder’ talks to host Marco about how he mentally processed this setback and prepared for the 2025 edition, before reviewing the race day in detail. Find out what happened in the days and weeks after his victory and what his plans are for 2026. Listen now!

From juniors to the World Tour with Patrick Gamper

Swapping two skis for two wheels: in this episode of the ÖRM podcast, the 28-year-old Tyrolean talks about his career progression from skibob rider to professional road cyclist. In conversation with host Marco, ‘Gibbo’ also talks about his leap from the U23 junior class to the World Tour and describes the physical and mental challenges that came with it. Other topics of conversation revolve around Jai Hindley's unexpected Giro victory in 2022, in which he was part of the team. Patrick shares some insider knowledge and recounts funny anecdotes from his time at Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe. Listen now!