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Pictures that prove Challenge St. Polten should be on your bucket list

The spectacular race celebrates 20 years in style with perfect conditions

Photo by: Jose Luis Hourcade
May 24, 2023
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Celebrating 20 years of racing, this weekend’s Challenge St. Polten featured a field of 1,100 athletes from 33 countries, who enjoyed picture-perfect race conditions at the event in the capital of lower Austria.

Tom Hug ran himself to the win, taking advantage of some bad luck for pre-race favourite Sebastian Kienle, who was given a drafting penalty early in the bike and pulled out of the race. Lotte Wilms, a late entrant, led the women’s race from start to finish.

Here are some great photos from photographer Jose Luis Hourcade, who captured some of the beauty of the course in following the pro race.

They’re off! The pro women left 20 minutes before the pro men. Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
Sebastian Kienle appeared on track to take the win, but a drafting penalty early in the race set him off and he quit in frustration. Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
The spectacular course goes through the Austrian countryside. Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
Carolyn Lehrieder would eventually finish third. Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
France’s Julie Iemmolo wasn’t taking any time to enjoy the beautiful fields. Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
The Netherlands’ Lotte Wilms led from start to finish. Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
Germany’s Daniela Kleiser would finish second. Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
Tom Hug (who appears to have both German and Swiss ties) ran clear of the field to take the win. Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
Wilms celebrates a big win. Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade