Tour of Austria

Pernsteiner chases Tour victory from the second row

Hermann Pernsteiner is Austria's hottest stock for the Tour of Austria.(Bild: Felt Felbermayr)

After six years in the WorldTour with Team Bahrain, Hermann Pernsteiner made the step to the "second row" this year with the domestic Continental racing team Felt Felbermayr. The Giro runner-up is now captain there - and can realize his dream of winning the Tour of Austria. It was practically tailor-made for him.

The new prologue in St. Pölten, the second stage from Maria Taferl to Steyr - a real home race for the Lower Austrian Pernsteiner. The last two stages of this Tour of Austria are even more appealing to the climbing Max from Krumbach: the Glockner stage on the penultimate day takes the classic route from north to south, i.e. from St. Johann to Kals. That makes 3692 meters in altitude. At the very end, the tour scrambles up to Kühtai on the following day - that alone is around 1400 meters in altitude.

"Of course it was important for us to set up the route like this when strong Austrian climbers are racing in Austria," reveals Tour Director Thomas Pupp, "and we know that Hermann likes long climbs in the finale." The hussar ride to tenth place at the Giro d'Italia 2020 was the best proof.

Now Pernsteiner could complete what he already attempted in 2018, when he "only" finished second overall behind Ben Hermans (Bel). But is that even possible for a Conti team? "Of course it was a change after the WorldTour, but the Conti level is not much worse," says the Lower Austrian, "we are well positioned in terms of the team."

In plain language for the Felt-Felbermayr pro: "The big goal for me this year is the Tour of Austria! With a strong team, I'm going to go all out. And victory would come pretty close to my tenth place at the Giro."