Old Town Criterium Graz 2026: Tradition Meets Future in Road Cycling
Dear cycling friends, keep Tuesday, July 28th, free! The Old Town Criterium Graz is back and promises to be a spectacle again in 2026. After the sensational restart last year, when the Graz Old Town, our beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site, once again became the stage for road cycling, we're moving forward with fresh energy this year.
The Old Town Criterium returned last year with a new philosophy that particularly excites us: It was the first time as an official event of Cycling Austria and for the first time, there were two races – one for women and one for men! And the best part: It was part of the Road Cycling League Austria, the heart of domestic cycling. This league stands for lived equality, with the same number of races and equal prize money for women and men. Now that's a statement, right? Eight race days with varied courses offer our talents a real career platform. The Old Town Criterium remains spectacular but is economically restructured to be a strong stage for Austrian cycling and its future.
Since 2025, the LRV Steiermark has taken over the role of organizer, with Richard Stering as the head of the Old Town Criterium. Thus, the long history of this race continues this year.
And where will it take place? Of course, on the traditional circuit! Start and finish are again in the city park, right in front of Café Promenade – exactly where the action happened between 1984 and 1999. On this original, now reactivated course, 70 laps per race were previously ridden. Since 2025, we have adjusted distances: Women rode 30 laps, men 40 laps. That's a great challenge for everyone!
The history of the Old Town Criterium is rich with big names and unforgettable moments. There have been 26 editions in total! Do you remember the Portuguese Acácio da Silva? He celebrated three Old Town victories in Graz at the beginning of the 90s (1988, 1990, 1993) and is still our record winner. He even wore the leader's jerseys at the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia – a true crowd favorite!
In 1984, Harald Maier (AUT) won the first race.
In 1992, Sean Kelly (IRL) was unbeatable.
In 1996, Tony Rominger (SUI) triumphed.
Erik Zabel (GER) won twice, in 1997 and 1998.
In 2000, Mario Cipollini (ITA) celebrated in the Old Town.
A very special moment was in 2003 when Lance Armstrong (USA) won in the Graz Old Town just 48 hours after his victory at the Tour de France. The race was even broadcast live on ORF back then!
In 2004, Jan Ullrich (GER) took the victory.
And at the interim restart in 2022, Geraint Thomas (UK) was the last professional winner.
At the comeback in 2025, we were thrilled with new winners: Loic Bettendorff (LUX) for the men and Lydia Ventker (GER) for the women made their mark in the history books. Who will it be in 2026? Be there and find out!
I'm really looking forward to turning the Graz Old Town into a cycling festival with you on July 28th. Let's cheer on the athletes together and enjoy the unique atmosphere! See you in the city park, this time hopefully without rain!
#bikegraz #OldTownCriteriumGraz #CyclingGraz #TraditionMeetsFuture
