2022 UCI Gran Fondo World Champion and newly crowned UEC European Champion Stefan Kirchmair was disqualified in Austria on Sunday after winning the 31st edition of Dreiländergiro in Nauders.

During the 168km gran fondo race with 3300m of climbing on the Austrian-Italian-Swiss border, including the famed 48 hairpins of the Stelvio, 35 year-old Kirchmair violated Swiss traffic laws by passing a police vehicle during the race. He was then stopped, lectured and photographed by police before being allowed to continue.

After finishing solo in 4:50:59 with over a ten minute gap on the next rider, rather than enjoying a post-race winner’s interview Kirchmair was summoned by race officials and notified of his disqualification.

Although disappointed with the outcome, Kirchmair was quick to clarify his actions via Strava, “I would like to state that the situation in Zernez was absolutely my mistake! I should have stayed in the [traffic] column at a [safe] pace, then all this would not have happened. The conversation with [police] was very professional and friendly and it was also clear to me that no other solution would have been possible to the Swiss authorities and the other participants than a disqualification – just because of the role model.”

The victory was then awarded to 35 year-old Robert Petzhold (PETZ RACING) who finished in 5:03:01, followed by Marek Sulzle (5:03:22) and Manuel Schreiber (5:04:00). Julia Schallau (POPEYES PORTIXOL) won the women’s race in 5:33:18.

Rene Pammer (3:34:56) and Nina Zoller (4:13:17) won the shorter 120km medio fondo for the men and women respectively.

Kirchmair was not the only rider disqualified from the gran fondo race, with 35 other competitors suffering the same fate, while in the medio fondo 10 riders were disqualified.

In total over 3400 cyclists participated in the 31st edition of Dreiländergiro.

Complete Dreiländergiro results HERE.

Photo Credit: Francesco Lasca

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