The Tour of Austria GC is a 2.1-rated multi-day stage race featuring a decisive mountain finish, making pure climbing ability the key differentiator. The race attracts a mix of WorldTour protected leaders, home Austrian talent, and development riders hungry for results. With mountain finishes expected to be the decisive battleground, riders with climbing stats above 73 and strong hills scores hold the greatest advantage.
★★★★
Top Favorite
Carlos Rodríguez is the undisputed top pick here with a climbing score of 77 — the highest in the field — and the full backing of INEOS Grenadiers. Though his recent form averages 22.9 across seven climbing-profile races, his caliber as a top GC rider at WorldTour level eclipses the competition in this 2.1-class event.
INEOS Grenadiers
INEOS Grenadiers
Carlos Rodríguez leads the startlist with the highest climbing stat (77) and is confirmed as a protected leader for INEOS Grenadiers. Despite modest recent form (avg pos 22.9), his class in mountain GC races makes him the clear favorite.
★★★
Strong Contenders
Tao Geoghegan Hart brings a climbing stat of 76 and the pedigree of a Giro d'Italia champion, while Jan Christen offers the best hills score in the entire field (78) alongside a climbing rating of 73. Both are confirmed starters with clear race ambitions, and either could challenge Rodríguez if he has an off day.
UAE Emirates
UAE Emirates
Jan Christen (UAE Emirates) posts a climbing score of 73 paired with the best hills stat in the field (78), ideal for a mountain-finish GC race. The young Swiss climber has been specifically targeted for this race per his upcoming schedule.
Lidl-Trek
Lidl-Trek
Tao Geoghegan Hart returns to racing with a climbing stat of 76 and strong mountain credentials, riding for Lidl-Trek alongside Konrad and Mollema. A former Giro winner, he is a genuine GC threat when fit.
★★
Dark Horses
Laurens De Plus and Finlay Pickering share a climbing stat of 76, making them statistically neck-and-neck with Geoghegan Hart. Rainer Kepplinger adds Austrian home-road advantage and a well-rounded profile. All three represent genuine GC danger without quite having the form or palmares to be considered favorites.
Jayco AlUla
Jayco AlUla
Finlay Pickering (Jayco AlUla) carries a climbing score of 76, matching De Plus, and brings youth and improving form to a race that suits his profile. He has five climbing-profile races in recent months, showing consistency if not yet results.
INEOS Grenadiers
INEOS Grenadiers
Laurens De Plus holds a climbing stat of 76 and is a confirmed INEOS leader candidate alongside Rodríguez. His recent form in climbing races averages 39th, but his raw ability keeps him in contention as a potential protected rider.
Bahrain Victorious
Bahrain Victorious
Rainer Kepplinger is the local Austrian hope with a climbing stat of 75 and solid all-round numbers (TT 72, hills 74). Racing on home roads for Bahrain Victorious, crowd support and course knowledge could give him an edge.
★
Ones to Watch
Neilson Powless, Patrick Konrad, Filippo Baroncini, and Bauke Mollema round out the selections as riders capable of staging a surprise. Baroncini's outstanding recent form stands out with a 10.5 average and a podium, Konrad and Mollema bring home-race knowledge and experience, and Powless has the versatility to exploit any tactical opening.
Lidl-Trek
Lidl-Trek
Bauke Mollema is a seasoned grand tour and stage race veteran with climbing 73 and hills 76, confirmed for this race ahead of Il Lombardia. At this level, his experience and tactical intelligence could see him sneak into the top 10.
UAE Emirates
UAE Emirates
Filippo Baroncini (UAE Emirates) shows the best recent form among climbers with an average position of 10.5 and a podium finish in two recent climbing-profile races. His climbing stat of 71 is lower, but his current condition is clearly strong.
EF - EasyPost
EF - EasyPost
Neilson Powless is a versatile Epic-rarity rider with climbing 73, a strong TT (74), and confirmed race participation. He could play a tactical role and exploit any GC chaos on a mountain finish.
Lidl-Trek
Lidl-Trek
Patrick Konrad is a Lidl-Trek captain option on home Austrian roads, boasting climbing 73 and hills 76. His local knowledge and team backing make him a credible dark-horse threat despite limited recent climbing results.
Verdict
Carlos Rodríguez is the standout favorite, combining the highest climbing stat in the field with INEOS Grenadiers team support. Tao Geoghegan Hart and the in-form Jan Christen are his most dangerous rivals on the mountain finishes.