Rene Haselbacher:

“Burgenland simply has to get the World Cup”

Organizer Johannes Hessenberger before the start in Mörbisch.(Bild: Nina Wallenborn)

Even the little ones got their money's worth at the weekend.(Bild: Nina Wallenborn)

Lots of wind, few climbs - that's the Neusiedler See Cycle Marathon.(Bild: Nina Wallenborn)

Also taking part again: winemaker Leo Hillinger (with Mörbisch's mayor Bettina Zentgraf.(Bild: Nina Wallenborn)

Not only veteran and regular guest René Haselbacher was thrilled. Over 2,500 participants from 46 nations made the 32nd Neusiedler See Cycle Marathon powered by Burgenland Tourismus a great event. Victory went to the Netherlands and Styria.

Victories for Van Voorden and Winter
While winter conditions prevailed in large parts of Austria, Burgenland presented itself with sunshine and temperatures of around ten degrees Celsius at the start of the cycling marathon season. Victory at the 32nd Neusiedler See Cycle Marathon powered by Burgenland Tourismus, the first competition of the Austria Top Tour, Austria's largest cycling series, went to Dutchman Jeroen van Voorden and 20-year-old Styrian Elisa Winter in the women's race. The decisive situation occurred shortly before Rust in the final, when van Voorden and the Pole Marcin Karbowy were able to break away from the leading group. The 27-year-old Dutchman rode almost the last ten kilometers at the front and then took the victory in the sprint: "It was a great race and the conditions with a lot of wind suit me. Unfortunately, I crashed in the time trial yesterday, but everything went perfectly today."

The winners Jeroen van Voorden and Elisa Winter.(Bild: Nina Wallenborn)

Organizer draws positive balance
Organizer Johannes Hessenberger was delighted to welcome more than 2,500 participants from 46 nations at the weekend, with over 550 making the time trial the largest of the UCI Gran Fondo Series for amateurs worldwide: "I am absolutely happy that we were able to offer so many competitions for the youngest to the oldest cyclists. I would like to thank the 70 or so volunteers and Burgenland Tourismus, the sponsors and partners, without whom such an event would not be possible. And I am also very pleased that Heinrich Dorner, Burgenland's sports councillor, and many celebrities honored us." The German record-breaking Olympic luge champions Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt, who reached the finish line in 3.5 hours, were very strong.

More and more people come every year, everything is perfectly organized - for me it's absolutely certain: the Gran Fondo World Championships must come to Burgenland one day!

Ex-Radprofi René Haselbacher

Ex-pros among themselves: René Haselbacher with Paco Wrolich and Andreas Klöden.(Bild: Nina Wallenborn)

Haselbacher's "accolade"
 Regular guest René Haselbacher, who pedaled in the pairs time trial with former Tour de France runner-up Andreas Klöden, gave the event an accolade of sorts. "The race here is different because it's flat and mostly windy," says the former professional cyclist from Unterwart, who is delighted with the professional organization: "Burgenland simply has to have the Gran Fondo World Championships one day, Johnny Hoogerland thinks so too." And the Dutchman is world champion after all. Who knows, maybe Hasi, now a fit 47, can even attack again at a home world championship...