Triumph in the Alps: Julia Schallau from Giessen celebrates 3 victories!

Triumph in the Alps: Julia Schallau from Giessen celebrates 3 victories!

In the last few weeks, cyclist Julia Schallau from Gießen has achieved an impressive overall victory in all three races in the Alps. Her outstanding performances at the Granfondo Gavia Mortirolo, the Three-Country Giro and the Tannheimer Tal are not only proof of her talent, but also show the growing trend of cycling in Germany, which is becoming increasingly popular, especially among the younger generation.

The combative Schallau, who works as a store manager at Bikes'n Boards, covered a distance of 148 km and 3,800 meters in altitude at the Granfondo Gavia Mortirolo in a time of 5:16:57 hours. This secured her first place ahead of Maria Elena Palmisano and Sonia Passuti. The competition took place as part of a training camp in the picturesque town of Bormio, where she was also well equipped to work from home. Her winning streak continued at the three-country Giro, where she crossed the finish line in 5:21:33 hours, almost 20 minutes ahead of second-place finisher Jael Kahler. On the 168 km long route over several famous passes, her time would have even been enough for a place among the men in the top 25.

Triumph in the Tannheimer Valley

The highlight of their summer season, however, was the cycling marathon in Tannheimer Tal, which took place on July 6, 2025. Around 2,200 athletes from 27 nations took part in this prestigious event, and Schallau shone again. With an impressive time of 6:06:51 hours, she secured victory in the ultra distance of 224 km and 3,700 meters in altitude - her fourth consecutive victory in this competition. Her pursuer, Daniela Traxl-Pintarelli, crossed the finish line 12 minutes after him. It's also worth noting that Schallau's time in the men's event placed her 38th out of 1,151 participants. “It was an unforgettable day and I am happy to have set this record,” said Schallau after her victory.

The event itself was not only a success for Schallau. Michael Keller, managing director of the Tannheimer Radmarathon, confirmed that the event recorded the highest number of participants in its history. The weather was pleasant and the positive response from participants suggests that many of them would like to come back. Spectators from many European countries populated the routes, which further strengthened the feeling of community and sporting activity.

The cycling boom in Germany

According to Rennrad News, cycling in Germany is experiencing a real renaissance. Interest in cycling has increased massively, particularly among those under 35; Over 100% growth in activity on the Strava platform over the last five years are impressive numbers. The number of active female cyclists has also increased by more than 40% since 2019, showing that the sport has become not just a summer activity, but also an integral part of many people's everyday lives.

The turnaround in cycling shows that many people not only appreciate the sporting activity, but also love the social aspect. Teams and group trips are important for motivation, and many find like-minded people through local clubs. Cycling is booming in Germany, and with talents like Julia Schallau at the forefront, it will be exciting to see what successes will follow.