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.
Exploring new routes in a sheer rockface, climbing as many mountains as possible, enjoying the thrill of a high-speed descent – there are lots of ways to do Tirol. Visitors keen to go back to the roots and discover the region like the early alpine pioneers hundreds of years ago should have a go at mountaineering "by fair means". This means no cable cars, gondolas or ski lifts to shorten the approach – just 100% leg power. Our team set off to climb the Watzespitze, the highest peak on the Kaunergrat ridge, by fair means. Let's see how they got on.
Our author used to love hiking, but since an accident she has had a fear of the mountains. Now she's keen to get back on the trails – and rediscover part of her old self.
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?
“Mountains are mute masters who make silent pupils,” wrote Goethe. In reality, however, there is no outdoor activity that lends itself to a good old chat quite like hiking in the mountains. Two years ago, our author set off along the Stubai HighTrail with his 18-year-old son for a bonding session unlike any other.
Sledding & Tobogganing Safety Tips – Learn How to Steer and Brake
3 min reading time
Tobogganing is fun and easy just so long as you have the right skills to keep your sled under control. Andreas, who runs the Rauthhütte mountain hut in Leutasch, showed our intrepid reporter Christine how to enjoy this traditional winter sport. His quaint hut, which has its own toboggan run, provides a warm welcome to sledders, winter walkers and ski touring enthusiasts in winter.
How to Be a Better Skier: 9 Ways to Improve Your Skiing
10 min reading time
Nikolaus Niedermoser from 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.
In the Ötztal Valley – to be precise at 47° latitude – lies Austria’s largest outdoor adventure park. Our author, for whom summer in the mountains had so far meant nothing more than an easy walk in the meadows, agreed to take on the challenge of Area 47.
In his new book, Olympic ski jumping champion Toni Innauer has come up with some innovative ways to stay active inspired by the animals of Tirol. Check out these 12 exercises for mind and body.
As the grandfather of all skiing, the cross country discipline has about the same kudos that your cardigan-wearing grand-pops does; but perhaps we should respect our elders a little more?
