Gamlitz/Vienna, July 8, 2026
Gregor Mühlberger won the first stage of the 75th Tour of Austria from Graz to Gamlitz over 188 kilometers in a solo ride on Wednesday and took over the leader's jersey of the domestic tour.
The 32-year-old Lower Austrian, who rides for Team Austria, attacked after 177 of 188 kilometers near the Slovenian border and left his rivals behind. After more than 2,700 meters of climbing and a race time of 4:21:02 hours, he crossed the finish line in Gamlitz with an eleven-second lead over the American Kevin Vermaerke of UAE Team. The chasing group, which reached the finish together, was led by a trio from Lidl-Trek: Spain's Hector Alvarez finished third, the Dutchman Bauke Mollema fourth, and Italy's Andrea Bagioli fifth.
Mühlberger was visibly moved at the finish. „Ich bin richtig glücklich, das macht mich unheimlich stolz", Mühlberger said at the finish. Describing the key phase of the race, he reported: „Von der Bergwertung bis ins Ziel war es deutlich länger als gedacht. Mein Team hat mich in Top-Position in den Anstieg gebracht. Es war schon viel Risiko dabei, denn ich habe nicht gewusst, was die anderen noch draufhaben." He described his breakaway as a daring maneuver in an ORF interview: „Es war ein bisschen eine Kamikaze-Partie, weil ich bergab nicht der Stärkste bin", Mühlberger said.