For months, the region trained together for this day – and at the event on September 21, organizers and ambitious athletes were rewarded with dream conditions and a picture-perfect late summer day. The start for the approximately 80 participants took place as early as 5:30 a.m. in Saalfelden Leogang. They kicked off the autumn season with an experience defined not by stopwatches and performance pressure, but by emotion, team spirit, and unforgettable moments.
The 300-kilometer route with 2,500 meters of elevation gain led through Zell am See, Pass Thurn, and Kufstein into the Chiemsee region, then back via Kössen and Pillersee to Saalfelden Leogang. The shorter “Light” version covered 150 kilometers and 1,500 meters of elevation, passing through Zell am See, Pass Thurn, the Pillersee Valley, and finishing at the Ritzensee in Saalfelden.
What makes the RUSH300 special? Not the timing, but the shared experience and a successful start to the autumn season were the focus. Participants were supported by well-known names from the cycling world, foremost former World Tour professional and Tour de France stage winner Simon Geschke, as well as Philipp Kaider, the winner of the 2025 Race Across America and two-time 24-hour world champion. Former biathlete Julian Eberhard and local cycling stars Franziska Ehrenreich, Nadja Prieling, and Daniel Kapeller were also on hand with tips and advice.
Hans-Peter Kreidl, organizer of the “RUSHdieSERIE,” which includes the “RUSH300,” expressed great satisfaction with the premiere: “You can only wish for a day like this. This mix of special atmosphere at the start, sunrise, and joy at the finish is what stays in your memory.”
Marco Pointner, Managing Director of Saalfelden Leogang Tourism, who also participated, was equally enthusiastic: “This premiere sent a strong message about how deeply Austria’s largest bike region lives and breathes cycling in all its facets – whether downhill, gravel, e-bike, or road cycling. The perfect start to a long cycling autumn. A big thank you goes to the many volunteers who took care of us at the start and finish area by the Ritzensee and at the refreshment stations along the route.”
