Strasser’s road by Christoph Strasser

Author:Christoph Strasser
Language: deu
Format: epub
Publisher: Egoth Verlag
Published: 0336-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

We would have spent many times that to see the the 24-hour world record attempt on the velodrome in Vienna go as we had hoped. As early as 2016, when I first toyed with the idea of challenging the 903 kilometers of Marko Baloh, we, with the help of the Austrian Cycling Federation (ÖRV), approached the city of Vienna (operator of the Dusika Stadium Velodrome) about renting it for the record attempt.

The experience that I had with them is typical of the civil service in Austria. Imagine that the people who work at your local department of motor vehicles were the ones running the velodrome, and you'll understand how it was. My telephone calls did not lead to any result. Requested return calls never came, and e-mails were not answered. I did not want special treatment; I just wanted a business contact. When, after months of pressing, I finally got a price list that took my breath away. Every little thing was subject to exorbitant fees. The finish line band with the necessary adhesive material was 251.10 euros, each plastic armchair (dozens were to be placed in the infield during the attempt) would have been five euros, the light in the hall would have cost three hundred euros an hour. On top of the rental fee, I would have had to pay an additional fee for special software for the timing system, because modern operating systems were no longer compatible with it. I'd also have to pay the wages of a dedicated technician who had the ability to operate this time-honored equipment. Looking through the multi-page estimate, I got the impression that the city of Vienna wanted to renovate the Ferry Dusika Stadium with my financial contributions. When I first read the estimate, I truly wondered if they were joking with me. But no, unfortunately, they were 100% serious.

But we let it be. As much as I'd have loved to set a world record in Austria with the great support of a local audience, it was very clear that I had to look for other options. Montichiari near Milan—where Marko Baloh set his record in 2010—would have sufficed, as would the Velodrome Grenchen in Western Switzerland. The town with about 18,000 inhabitants is located west of Zurich and north of Bern. The organizers of the velodrome (in part due to an integrated hotel with a restaurant, shops, courses on how to ride a velodrome, races, and brisk activity year round) responded to the request by return mail. The basic tenet was: "We from the Tissot Velodrome, the Swiss National Stadium of cycling, would be pleased if you complete your record attempt with us and guarantee our absolute support." The rent including all ancillary and operating costs was much cheaper than in Vienna, never mind that Grenchen is one of the fastest and most modern cycling tracks in the world. That's why Jens Voigt and other professionals set their hour world records here.

I did not expect any special treatment in Vienna. I come from a marginal sport, which has only become more famous in the last ten years.

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