Rad am Ring.
The 24h Radrennen at the Nürburgring combines the Grand Prix circuit with the Nordschleife, turning every lap into a day-and-night challenge. Success depends not only on speed, but on riding under control across repeated stints and keeping the team effective in the paddock. Also known as 24h Rad am Ring.
Rad am Ring 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The lap opens on the wide Grand Prix start straight, crosses the Mercedes Arena and NGK chicane, then climbs toward the Nordschleife. It descends toward Breidscheid through fast bends, with the Fuchsröhre providing the most obvious high-speed section. There is no need to force that descent: a clean line and reserve for the long middle section are more valuable than a single spectacular speed reading.
From Breidscheid the character changes. The road rises for several kilometres through Bergwerk and Klostertal, followed by the steepest passage between the Karussell and Hohe Acht. The lap then remains undulating through Wippermann, Brünnchen and Pflanzgarten before the Döttinger Höhe leads back to the Grand Prix area. The surface is race-track asphalt, but the setting alternates between Formula 1 infrastructure, forest and open Eifel scenery. Start, finish, pit boxes and team camps sit directly beside the circuit, while darkness, headlamps and possible fog change the experience at night.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 2.4 | 0.6 km | 4.9 % | 7.4 % | +27 m | — |
| km 6.9 | 0.5 km | 5.3 % | 8.3 % | +24 m | — |
| km 9.8 | 0.4 km | 6.2 % | 10.4 % | +23 m | — |
| km 12.9 | 0.7 km | 4.2 % | 10.4 % | +28 m | — |
| km 13.8 | 3.1 km | 6.4 % | 12 % | +195 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 17.2 | 0.7 km | 8.4 % | 12.4 % | +61 m | — |
| km 23.7 | 1 km | 3.2 % | 4.5 % | +31 m | — |
| km 25 | 0.6 km | 4.8 % | 7.6 % | +30 m | — |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
How to pace Rad am Ring.
Sit in early
Pace this race for repeatability, not for one fast lap. Ride the opening Grand Prix section and the descent with enough in reserve for the long climb from Breidscheid. The short rises add up across successive laps even when each one feels manageable in isolation.
Ration your effort
For a team, every lap must fit a sustainable changeover and recovery rhythm. The race-defining section is the climb from Bergwerk through Klostertal toward Hohe Acht. Its length and steep ramps cost more than the preceding descent gives back.
Race the finale
The main trap is spending too much on the Nordschleife or Döttinger Höhe and reaching the next climb already depleted. At night, a steady light beam, a tidy line through the bends and a more cautious speed matter more than matching daytime pace.
Training plan for Rad am Ring: 12-week build
Build endurance
The 24-hour challenge calls for long endurance rides and the ability to repeat demanding stints. For many riders, one lap is already a substantial hard ride; in the event, fatigue comes mainly from the accumulated efforts and broken sleep. Alongside easy aerobic volume, include controlled work with short steep surges.
Train the climbs
Target the climb from Bergwerk to Hohe Acht in longer rides. Repeats on a multi-kilometre ascent build climbing endurance, while descending on the circuit's bends demands a clean line and measured braking. Also practise climbing steadily after substantial prior work rather than treating every lap as a separate race.
Ride race-specific
For teams, organisation is part of preparation. Rehearse changes in the Grand Prix area, prepare food and lighting for the night, and test the intensity you can control after a short sleep break. Solo riders need especially consistent fuelling and an effort that can be repeated for many hours.
Arrive fresh
The event takes place at the Nürburgring in July, but the Eifel night can feel very different from the day. Include several dark-condition rides in your preparation and test rain clothing, extra layers and reliable lights. The circuit is paved, yet fog, fatigue and changing visibility demand more attention than an ordinary daytime ride.
Courses
Download the Rad am Ring course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Rad am Ring dynamically
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Everything about Rad am Ring.
How long is Rad am Ring?
Rad am Ring is 26 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Rad am Ring have?
Rad am Ring has around 517 m of elevation gain over 26 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Rad am Ring?
Rad am Ring is classified as Hilly, averaging 19.8 vertical metres per kilometre. 16% of the route is flat, 37% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 6% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Rad am Ring have?
The hardest climb of Rad am Ring starts at kilometre 13.8, runs for 3.1 km at an average of 6.4% and gains 195 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 3. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Rad am Ring a loop course?
Yes, Rad am Ring is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Rad am Ring course?
Yes. The Rad am Ring course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Rad am Ring?
Preparation for Rad am Ring should account for 26 km, 517 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Rad am Ring?
The pacing strategy for Rad am Ring should reflect 26 km, 517 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does Rad am Ring take place?
Rad am Ring takes place on July 23, 2027.
Where does Rad am Ring take place?
Rad am Ring takes place in Nürburg, Germany.
Which distances does Rad am Ring offer?
Rad am Ring offers 2 distances — 24h Radrennen: 26 km; 22km-Zeitfahren: 22 km.
How do I register for Rad am Ring?
Registration runs through the organiser: radamring.de. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
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