The 3rd Pannonia Gravel took place today around Breitenbrunn on Lake Neusiedl in Austria. In perfect weather conditions, pre-race favourite Johnny Hoogerland, who recently claimed the amateur Gravel World Championship title, won the long-distance race
Oct 26, 2026
The 3rd Pannonia Gravel took place today around Breitenbrunn on Lake Neusiedl in Austria. In perfect weather conditions, pre-race favourite Johnny Hoogerland, who recently claimed the amateur Gravel World Championship title, won the long-distance race. In the women’s race, Corinna Pichler, this year’s overall winner of the Austria Top Tour, also lived up to her favourite status. Two-time World Champion Lizz Görgl made a surprise appearance at the start line.
The Pannonia Gravel, an event for gravel bikes, cyclocross bikes and mountain bikes, celebrated its third edition today. Participants could choose between two distances: 40 kilometres with 600 metres of elevation gain or 73 kilometres with 1,150 metres of climbing. In glorious autumn weather, around 400 riders from 14 nations took on the challenge. The unique course led through a military training area in the Leitha Mountains that is normally closed to the public.
“Once again, we received special permission to ride through this fantastic, untouched landscape, away from the usual cycling routes. More than 80 per cent of the course runs off-road, along unpaved roads and a singletrack trail,” explained organiser Johannes Hessenberger. In addition to the annual Neusiedler See Cycle Marathon, he will also host an amateur World Championship in Austria for the first time in 2029. Dusty gravel roads, vast open landscapes overlooking Lake Neusiedl, a feeling of pure freedom and a challenge that pushes every rider to their limits – that is Pannonia Gravel!
Former Tour de France star Johnny Hoogerland made his mark on the Pannonia Gravel. The Dutch-born rider, who lives in Villach, Austria, broke away just a few kilometres into the 73-kilometre long-distance race and was never seen again by his rivals before the finish.
“My teammate Anton Erlbacher attacked right at the beginning, and I counterattacked. It was a lonely race out front, but I really enjoyed the stunning yet very demanding course,” said Hoogerland, who also won the inaugural Pannonia Gravel.
He recently crowned himself amateur Gravel World Champion in Australia and UCI Gran Fondo World Champion on the road in Japan. His RH77 Factory Racing teammate Anton Erlbacher, this year’s overall winner of the Austria Top Tour, the country’s largest amateur cycling series, finished second, around two minutes behind. Thomas Garber (HUMANPWR Racing) took third place, another minute and a half back. Former Swiss WorldTour professional Reto Hollenstein finished seventh.
Pichler Wins on Her Gravel Debut
In the women’s race, Upper Austrian rider Corinna Pichler of RH77 Factory Racing proved to be in a class of her own. Despite several mechanical problems, she completed the course in 2 hours and 39 minutes, finishing more than ten minutes ahead of Hungary’s Zsofia Toth. Austrian rider Marlene Pühringer secured third place.
“It was my very first gravel race, and it was pretty tough. You really need to ride with good technical skills in a race like this. I had problems with my saddle at the beginning, and then I rode the final 15 kilometres with a flat tyre. But the course is absolutely beautiful – I’ll definitely be back,” said Pichler.
Exciting Finishes in the Short-Distance Races
In the men’s short-distance race, Klaus Haberl (BistroBox Racing) claimed victory, finishing 30 seconds ahead of Florian Knödlstorfer (HILL Racing team), with Moritz Pieringer (SlipStreamz RC) taking third place. In the women’s race, Annemarie Wilhelm (HSV Jugend und Multisport Wr. Neustadt) secured the win, finishing eleven seconds ahead of Lena Wallner and 20 seconds ahead of Tanja Braun of RSC Krems.
Organiser Johannes Hessenberger was delighted with the third edition of Pannonia Gravel: “So many smiling faces! It was another fantastic day of cycling in Burgenland, and thankfully there were no accidents. A big thank you to the municipality of Breitenbrunn and to all our sponsors and partners, including bicycle brand Ridley, which supported us for the first time this year.”
Former Ski Star Lizz Görgl Enjoys the Challenge
Former ski star Lizz Görgl took a relaxed approach to the long-distance race. “It was only my second cycling race. I took it easy and had a tremendous amount of fun. And winning my age category isn’t bad either! The course is beautiful, but you wouldn’t believe it – it’s all up and down here in Burgenland!” she said.
