Racing took the riders into the testing Olympic Circuit for six laps and seven climbs of Igls.
The 2018 UCI Road World Championships concluded on Sunday, September 30, 2018, with the elite men’s road race bringing the curtain down on a week of epic racing in Tirol. 275,000 spectators coming from around the world to watch the UCI Road World Championships were having a great time in Tirol. Here’s a look back at all the action from the final event at the 2018 Worlds.
Scenic start: The elite men’s course departed Kufstein, towered by the fortress of the same name.
Thousands of fans cheered up riders at the elite men’s road race in Kufstein.
The world’s best riders were rolling out of Kufstein’s picturesque historic old town border under sunny autumn skies.
Racing first took the riders across Lower Inntal Valley, past grazing cows and farmsteads.
The first key spot and the first climb of the race: Gnadenwald was a sharp introduction at 2.8km and an average of 10.1%.
Fans waving Hungarian flags in Tirol.
The Fan Zone above Ambras Castle.
The fans have packed the roads at the key spot in Aldrans/Igls, the highest elevation along the Olympic Circuit.
Racing took the riders into the testing Olympic Circuit for six laps and seven climbs of Igls.
Fans from Norway
The fast sweeping descent off the climb from Igls down to Innsbruck.
The peloton on the descent to Innsbruck, towered by Bergisel Ski Jump.
Riding next to the Triumphal Arch of Innsbruck.
The city’s natural skyscrapers, craggy Nordkette Mountain Range, are rising high above Innsbruck.
Usually, Innsbruck’s lively main artery, Maria-Theresien-Street, is exclusively open to pedestrians and streetcars.
Riding through Innsbruck’s historic city center, cheered up by spectators from all over the world.
The sun shined in a flawless blue sky above the Alps during almost all of the 12 races.
Riding beneath the „Golden Roof“, the landmark of Innsbruck – the late Gothic oriel is adorned with 2,657 fire-gilt copper tiles.
Crossing the bridge over the Inn River en route to Hötting, the northern district of Innsbruck.
These fans were here for Eritrea.
Welcome to Hell: After completing the final lap of the Olympic Circuit, riders turned off to the savage final climb up Höttinger Gasse.
275,000 enthusiastic spectators watched the elite men’s road race in Tirol.
The fantastic crowd awaited the world’s best riders at „Höll“, which aptly translates to Hell in English.
The final and toughest test of the day: The savage final climb to „Höll“.
Fans were up watching the race via live stream along the course.
The most daunting feature for those gunning for the rainbow jersey was the 3.2-kilometer long „Höll“ climb, averaging 11.5% but maxing out at a ridiculous 28%.
The leaders heading into the foot of the dreaded „Höll“ climb, cheered up by legendary Didi Senft, the Tour Devil, and devilish creatures from Tirol called „Krampus“.
Alejandro Valverde won a dramatic sprint finish to end his long wait for victory in the elite men’s World Championship road race in Innsbruck.
The veteran finally made the top step of the podium: The 38-year-old Spaniard was crowned World Road Race Champion on Sunday.
Dazzling lights and beautiful cityscapes: Ines Mayerl loves the exciting, fast-paced big city life. But no matter how far she may travel, she always returns home to escape to the mountains, to discover stylish, new cafés in Innsbruck and to hit the slopes.
How to Be a Better Skier: Nine Ways to Improve Your Skiing
10 min reading time
Nikolaus Niedermoser from the Neustift Ski School in the Stubai Valley provides lots of handy tips on improving your skiing technique in his YouTube video series. This blog post sums up Nik's most important pieces of advice. The fascinating thing about skiing for me is that I always learn something new every year. Short turns, carved turns, skiing switch, hitting the kickers in the park or cruising the backcountry powder - whatever you are into, the right technique makes skiing more fun. Check out the following tips and tricks from a long-time ski instructor.
Why sweat it out in the gym during the winter months when you can explore the great outdoors on two skis? Cross-country skiing is known as being one of the best sports around when it comes to training not only stamina and cariovascular fitness but also strength in the legs and upper body. On top of that, it's excellent for your balance and burns plenty of calories.However, skating around on skinny skis does take a bit of getting used to. A key element to enjoying cross-country skiing is having the right fitness, so we have put together five exercises for you to do at home to get ready for your next holiday in Tirol. Coach Christoph Ebenbichler from the Innsbruck Olympic Centre will take you through each one step by step. Ready, steady, go!
Everyone knows the feeling of burning thighs or tight back muscles at the end of a long ski day. Aches and pains such as these can put a downer on an otherwise enjoyable skiing experience. That is why it is important to get fit for skiing before you hit the slopes. This will not only make skiing more fun but also increase your performance on the piste and help prevent injuries.Christoph Ebenbichler, fitness coach at the Olympic Centre in Innsbruck, has put together the most important exercises to get you fit for skiing.
A Walk on the Wet Side – Why It's Time to Try Hiking in the Rain
11 min reading time
Hiking under blue skies? Easy. But rainy days in the mountains have their own special charm. We set out to discover what sets wet walks apart from the rest.
Tirol Alpinist Association Refuges for Overnighters in Golden October
13 min reading time
For many avid walkers, there’s nothing quite like hiking during the autumn months. The crowds of summer have largely disappeared, the wonderful mix of explosive colours, deep blue, cloudless skies and crisp, nostalgic breezes have taken their place and the surrounding high peaks may already have a dusting of snow. Fortunately, there are nice Alpinist Association shelters and refuges throughout Tirol that are open well into October, making it easy to do an overnighter that will be perfect for witnessing the change in seasons...
The mountain biking season is finally here! As with every other sport, it is important to prepare your body for the stresses and strains specific to mountain biking. As well as good overall cardiovascular fitness, riders need strong legs to push the pedals uphill as well as a strong upper body to deal with tricky descents and keep control of the bike through tight corners.Roland Luchner, coach at the Innsbruck Olympic Centre shows you five exercises to get you fit for mountain biking. Let’s get started!
Full-face helmets, protective clothing, super-steep slopes – downhill mountainbiking can seem a pretty intimidating sport. Something for adrenaline-seeking daredevils only? Absolutely not, as our Joe Average author found out when he hit the trails.
Hiking is a sport open to everyone, but after a long walk in the mountains you may well find yourself with tired legs. That’s why good cardiovascular fitness as well as strong muscles are important. These also help keep you safe when negotiating rough terrain and make walking and hiking a more relaxing and pleasant experience.
As varied as the rich flora and fauna of Tirol, it can be interesting to consider the various inclinations and preferences that make us all unique, especially outdoorsmen. People approach hiking differently and people hike for all manner of different reasons, but I have started to notice some broad groups that account for most hiking styles. There are those seeking solitude and there are those who want to push the limits. There are those who want to capture pictures of that perfect moment and there are those who want nothing more than enjoying delectable dishes served on quaint on-mountain eateries. Naturally, there are many exceptions but I’ve found these seem to capture most hikers I’ve come across. What do you think?
