Over 1,700 athletes from 36 nations will line up at Challenge St Pölten this weekend, including an 80-strong pro field. The pro race promises to be a fair one, because of the Challenge Family 20 meter drafting rule and implementation of RaceRanger.

In the men’s pro field, two former winners will race. Thomas Hug (GER) will return with the goal to defend his 2023 title with one win under his belt already this season. But he will face stiff competition from 2022 winner, Nicolas Mann (GER). Also lining up is local athlete, Michael Weiss (AUT), top ranked Slovakian athlete, Ondrej Kubo and Ognjen Stojanović (SRB), fresh from his second place at Challenge Cesenatico.

In the women’s race, Daniela Kleiser (GER) could be the one to beat with one podium to her name already this season but she will be up against Gabriele Obmann who recently took third at Challenge Cesenatico, top Finnish athlete Tiina Pohjalainen and Milan Agnew (AUS) as she makes the transition from short to long course racing with a third in her first attempt.

The race also doubles as the Austrian National Championships and will be shown live on Austrian TV and through www.challenge-family.live.