Mühlberger triumphs at the Tour of Austria and is set to give the race new momentum

The long-time World Tour professional was supported in the Austrian squad by, among others, the two young riders Valentin Hofer and Sebastian Putz. Mühlberger explicitly praised their performance: "Es hat mit den Jungs super funktioniert, sie haben einen gewaltigen Job gemacht." He sees the future of domestic cycling in Hofer and Putz: "Sie sind unsere Radsportzukunft, wenn es bei mir in hoffentlich erst zehn Jahren vorbei ist."

Looking ahead to the Vuelta with Felix Gall

After a one-week break, Mühlberger is preparing for his next major task: the Vuelta a España. "Ich will nach einer kurzen Pause wieder gut in Form kommen, und dann voller Fokus auf die Vuelta mit Felix Gall", he announced. During the Tour of Austria, according to the available information, he was in constant contact with his current team Decathlon. He did not want to comment on a possible transfer as long as the transfer window has not yet opened on August 1; Lidl-Trek is being talked about as a possible new team, which carries the same name sponsor (the German food retailer Lidl) as the Tour of Austria.

Organizer Pupp, himself from Tyrol, had set himself the goal of returning the race to its former glory. "Unser Ziel, diese Rundfahrt wieder zu altem Glanz zurückzuführen", he formulated. After the 2026 edition, he sees this endeavor largely accomplished: "Wir hoffen, dass unser Ziel, diese Rundfahrt wieder zu altem Glanz zurückzuführen, jetzt mehr oder minder aufgegangen ist." "positiv gesinnte, aber kritische Beobachter haben gesagt: ‚Es war heuer noch eine Stufe höher als letztes Jahr'", Pupp added.

Support from sponsors and fans

Pupp described the atmosphere during race week as exceptionally favorable. "Wir haben in dieser Woche sehr viel Zuspruch gespürt", he said. The sponsors, in his assessment, were also satisfied: "Ich denke, dass auch unsere Sponsoren sehr zufrieden sind." The TV broadcast also provided good tourism advertising for Austria, Pupp concluded in the APA interview.

Pupp sees the Vienna finale as a worthy setting for the race. "Das kann ich mir nicht vorstellen. Aber man hat gesehen, wie gut es hier funktioniert, es ist das würdigste Finale für die Rundfahrt", he said with regard to the question of whether the race could finish in Vienna every year. At the same time, he hinted at other course layouts in the federal capital: "andere Möglichkeiten abseits des Rings" are conceivable. For the upcoming editions, he advocated that the Vienna finale should once again include a complete lap around the Ringstraße.

Vienna as a worthy final venue

At the same time, Pupp acknowledged that the organizational effort of an annual Vienna finale would be enormous. He therefore brought a two-year rhythm into play: "Es wäre schön, im Zweijahresrhythmus in Wien aufzuschlagen." In Vienna, Mühlberger had been celebrated by numerous fans after his overall victory — a reception likely to give the mood in domestic cycling an additional boost.

Pupp also stressed that it is important to turn the emotions of race week into positive energy. "Es ist schon notwendig, dass man aus diesen Emotionen und der sehr energiegeladenen Situation etwas macht", he said. With Mühlberger's triumph, the strong youth work, and the Vienna finale, the Tour of Austria has several building blocks to build on the successful 2026 edition.

For Mühlberger himself, after the short break, the outlook quickly turns forward. The Vuelta a España, together with compatriot Felix Gall, forms the next major staging post. The fact that he was able to set an exclamation mark with a home victory in Austria precisely after the disappointment over the Tour de France is regarded by the Lower Austrian as personal vindication — and as confirmation that he remains a fixture at World Tour level.

Perspective: Paths into the future

With regard to the squad around Mühlberger, Pupp emphasized that the mix of experienced professionals and young talents gives the race profile. Hofer and Putz delivered greatly in the decisive phase and are a signal that domestic development in cycling is bearing fruit. Mühlberger's announcement that he wants to pass on his experience specifically to the young generation underscores this assessment.

The organizers see themselves confirmed in their approach by the course of this year's edition. The step from a pure sporting event to a tourism-effective major event with a Viennese final boulevard has succeeded, it was said. Pupp wants to consistently continue on this path in the coming years and, in doing so, make particular use of the media reach of the TV broadcasts.

Overall, following the Tour of Austria 2026, the picture emerges of a race that has gained in importance both sportingly and organizationally. The first Austrian overall victory in 13 years, the strong performance of the young helpers, the dignified setting in Vienna, and the continued support from sponsors and audience are the building blocks on which Pupp is counting for the upcoming editions.

Mühlberger himself plans to start the Vuelta phase with full concentration after the break. The home victory is intended to ensure that the Tour of Austria goes into the next editions with a tailwind — and that the upcoming Vienna finales in a two-year rhythm will once again become a meeting point for domestic cycling fans.