Racing Through One of Italy’s Most Beautiful Alpine Destinations

The Hardskin LedroMan Sprint Triathlon represents the perfect connection between elite sport and destination experience. The race begins in the beautiful waters of Lago di Ledro, one of Italy’s cleanest and most scenic alpine lakes, before taking athletes through the surrounding roads and landscapes of Valle di Ledro. The region has become a favorite destination for endurance athletes from across Europe thanks to its combination of challenging terrain, peaceful surroundings, and endless opportunities for cycling, running, swimming, and outdoor exploration. For competitors, LedroMan is much more than a race. It is an experience where performance meets nature, and where every kilometer showcases the character of this remarkable alpine destination.

Austrian Triathlete Delivers Standout Performance in the Spectacular Valle di Ledro, Italy

The Valle di Ledro once again demonstrated why it is becoming one of Europe’s most inspiring destinations for endurance sport as the LedroMan Sprint Triathlon 2026 delivered a spectacular day of racing surrounded by alpine beauty, challenging terrain, and world-class athletic performances.

From the crystal-clear waters of Lago di Ledro to the scenic mountain roads and landscapes surrounding the valley, athletes experienced a race that perfectly combined sporting challenge, natural beauty, and the unique atmosphere of one of Italy’s most attractive outdoor destinations.

Located in Trentino, above the famous Lake Garda region, Valle di Ledro is renowned for its turquoise alpine lake, dramatic mountain scenery, and strong connection with active lifestyles. Cycling, running, swimming, and outdoor adventure define the identity of this unique destination, making it an ideal setting for an endurance event where athletes can challenge themselves while experiencing one of Europe’s most beautiful alpine environments.

The 2026 edition of LedroMan Sprint Triathlon attracted a competitive international field ready to race over the fast but demanding 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike, and 5-kilometer run course.

Austria’s Thomas Steger produced one of the strongest performances of the day, finishing third overall while recording the fastest bike split and fastest run split of the competition.

Thomas Steger Delivers Complete Podium Performance 

Thomas crossed the finish line in 58:29, securing another international podium result after a powerful and highly efficient performance.

The Austrian athlete demonstrated his trademark combination of speed, endurance, and race intelligence. After a controlled opening swim, he transformed the race with a dominant solo bike effort before closing with the fastest run split of the field.

His performance reflected the qualities that have defined his career: the ability to handle demanding courses, produce high power outputs, and deliver under competitive pressure.

Performance snapshot 

Discipline Overview

Swim - 750 m

Time: 10:16

Average pace: 1:22 min / 100 m

Thomas started the race with a controlled swim, staying within striking distance before moving into his strongest disciplines.

Bike - 20.42 km

Time: 30:20

Average speed: 40.4 km/h
Elevation gain: 241 m
Average power: 318 watts

Result: 🥇 The Fastest bike split of the race

The bike leg became the defining moment of Thomas Steger’s performance.

Riding solo throughout the entire bike segment, Thomas produced the fastest cycling split of the competition, covering 20.42 kilometers with 241 meters of elevation gain at an average speed of 40.4 km/h while sustaining an impressive 318 watts of average power.

Without the tactical advantage of a group, his effort demonstrated exceptional strength, pacing, and technical ability on the demanding Valle di Ledro course.

Additional Achievement: Strava KOM on Lago di Ledro Left

Beyond his podium result, Thomas added another impressive achievement to his LedroMan performance by claiming the Strava KOM (King of the Mountain) on the Lago di Ledro Left segment.

The achievement further highlighted the quality of his bike performance on the demanding Valle di Ledro roads. His solo effort combined sustained power, technical precision, and race-day execution to set the fastest recorded time on the segment.

The KOM was another confirmation of the cycling strength behind his race result - adding a digital performance milestone to a day already defined by the fastest bike split in competition.

Fastest bike split. Solo effort. Strava KOM. Another demonstration of elite cycling performance.

Run - 5 km

Time: 15:37

Average pace: 3:07 min/km

Average speed: 19.2 km/h

Result: 🥇 The Fastest run split of the race

Thomas carried the momentum from his powerful bike performance into the final discipline, producing the fastest 5-kilometer run of the day.

His ability to transition from a demanding solo cycling effort into a high-speed run confirmed his outstanding endurance and race execution.

Race Result: 

🥉 Overall Result: 3rd Place

Total Time: 58:29

Equipment Behind the Performance

Thomas Steger’s podium performance was supported by a combination of preparation, experience, and trusted equipment choices.

Equipment 

• Wetsuit: Sailfish Ultimate IPS Plus

• Trisuit: OTSO trisuit

• Bike: Scott Addict RC Ultimate 2026 

• Carbon Wheels: Arcaris Pro 8848 carbon wheels set 

• Cycling shoes: fi'zi:k Transiro Hydra

• Helmet: fi'zi:k Kudo 

• Running shoes: PUMA Fast-R Nitro Elite 3

• Sports watch: Polar Vantage V3 

Elite Men’s Podium – LedroMan Sprint Triathlon 2026

The men’s elite race delivered a highly competitive battle, with Thomas Steger securing third place after one of the most complete performances of the day.

1. Nicolo Astori (ITA) – 57:45

2. Basile Boris Fouchard (FRA) – 57:52

3. Thomas Steger (AUT) – 58:29 

Next Challenge: A Return to the French Alps

Following his podium performance in Ledro, Thomas now continues his preparation for the next major challenges of the 2026 season.

His focus turns toward the legendary French Alps, where he will compete at two of the most iconic mountain triathlon events in the world

• Alpe d'Huez Triathlon 

• Embrunman

Both races represent the ultimate test of mountain endurance, combining legendary climbs, technical courses, and some of the most spectacular landscapes in triathlon.

The Alpe d’Huez Triathlon is famous for its iconic ascent of the 21 hairpin bends, while Embrunman is regarded as one of the toughest long-distance triathlons in the world, featuring high-altitude roads and extraordinary endurance demands.

Thomas returns to France with a historic ambition: to challenge himself to become the first triathlete to win both the Alpe d’Huez Triathlon and Embrunman.

The objective represents more than a pursuit of victory. It represents the philosophy that has shaped his career - choosing the toughest challenges, competing at iconic venues, and continuing to push the limits of performance.

A Strong 2026 Season Continues

The LedroMan podium adds another important achievement to Thomas Steger’s 2026 triathlon calendar.

With the fastest bike split, fastest run split, a Strava KOM, and another international podium result, he continues to demonstrate the consistency, professionalism, and competitive mindset required at the highest level of endurance sport.

From the shores of Lago di Ledro to the legendary climbs of the French Alps, the journey continues.

58:29. Fastest on the bike. Fastest on the run. Solo power. Another podium in one of Italian's most beautiful triathlon racing destinations.

Thomas continues to push performance beyond limits.

The 40th edition of the Vento Trans Triathlon Kirchbichl on May 30, 2026 delivered a memorable anniversary celebration as Austrian professional triathlete Thomas Steger secured a commanding victory in the Olympic-distance race. With a winning time of 1:48:04, Thomas claimed his third career triumph in Kirchbichl, adding to his previous victories in 2014 and 2016.

Located in the picturesque Hohe Salve region of Tyrol, Kirchbichl is one of Austria's most established triathlon venues. Nestled along the Inn River between Kufstein and Wörgl, the municipality is known for its outdoor recreation opportunities, scenic cycling routes, and the historic Moorstrandbad, a popular lakeside destination since 1934.

A Historic Milestone for Triathlon Kirchbichl 

The Kirchbichl Triathlon is among the oldest triathlon events in Austria, bringing together elite and amateur athletes for more than four decades. Since its inception, the event has been organized by the Freizeitklub Greenhorns Bichlwang, which has played a pioneering role in the development of triathlon in the region. Beginning in 2027, race organization will transition to the Tri Team of TS Wörgl, giving the neighboring club its own home race while continuing the event's long-standing tradition.

The anniversary edition attracted a strong field of competitors and was accompanied by international successes from athletes competing across Europe, including Poland and Italy.

The Olympic-distance race featured:

• 1.4 km swim

• 40 km bike

• 11km run

The event was centered around the Kirchbichl lido, where both the start and finish areas created a vibrant atmosphere for athletes, supporters, and spectators.

In addition to the Olympic-distance competition, the event offered:

• Sprint Triathlon (750 m swim / 20 km bike / 5.2 km run)
• Kids Aquathlon
• TRIWomen Aquathlon, designed for women entering the sport without extensive triathlon experience

Dominant Performance from Start to Finish 

Thomas delivered an exceptional race across all three disciplines, leading the field with the fastest swim, bike, and run splits of the day. His victory was further highlighted by the success of his partner, Lisa-Maria Dornauer, who claimed the women's title, making them the fastest triathlon couple of the event.

Performance snapshot

Discipline Overview 

• Swim: 17:22 (Fastest split) 

• Bike: 51:49 (41.8 km/h average speed; fastest split)

• Run: 37:01 (Fastest split) 

Race Result 

• Overall: 1st place 

• Total time: 1:48:04

Equipment 

• Wetsuit: Sailfish Ultimate IPS Plus

• Trisuit: OTSO trisuit

• Bike: Scott Addict RC Ultimate 2026 

• Carbon Wheels: Arcaris Pro 8848 carbon wheels set 

• Cycling shoes: fi'zi:k Transiro Hydra

• Helmet: fi'zi:k Kudo 

• Running shoes: PUMA Fast-R Nitro Elite 3

• Sports watch: Polar Vantage V3 

Additional Achievement 

• Strava KOM: Kirchbichl Triathlon segment (19,53km; 130m elevation gain; 25min:17sec; 46,4 km/h avg. speed / 316 avg W); 

Men's Elite Podium 2026

1. Thomas Steger (AUT) – 1:48:04

2. Herbert Enzinger (AUT) – 1:55:33

3. Julian Erhardt (AUT) – 1:58:57

With a dominant performance across all disciplines, Thomas Steger once again etched his name into the history of one of Austria's most respected triathlon events, delivering a fitting victory at the 40th anniversary edition of the Vento Trans Triathlon Kirchbichl.

Next Stop: 2026 VI Half Gasteiz, Basque, Spain 

Following his dominant performance in Kirchbichl, Thomas now shifts his attention to the VI Half Gasteiz, taking place on 6 June 2026 in Vitoria-Gasteiz.

The event serves as the Half-Distance Triathlon Championship for both the Basque Country and the province of Álava.

The race begins in the scenic surroundings of Garaio Park, on the shores of the Ullibarri-Ganboa Reservoir. Athletes will then tackle a demanding 90-kilometer bike course through the rolling roads of Álava before finishing with a half marathon that concludes in the heart of Vitoria-Gasteiz.

The half-distance race consists of:

• 1.9 km swim

• 90 km bike

• 21.1 km run

For Thomas, the event marks a new challenge, as it will be his first appearance in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Arriving in Spain with excellent form and confidence after his third victory in Kirchbichl, he will be aiming to continue his strong early-season momentum against a competitive international field.

With another major test just one week after his Kirchbichl triumph, all eyes will be on Thomas Steger as he looks to carry his winning form into his debut at the prestigious VI Half Gasteiz.

Kaltern Confirms Status as One of Europe's Premier Triathlon Venues 

The 37th International Kalterer See Triathlon once again confirmed why Kaltern an der Weinstraße is regarded as one of the most iconic and well-established triathlon destinations in South Tyrol and the Alpine region.

Set in the heart of wine country and framed by mountains and orchards, the race unfolds on the shores of Lake Kaltern, just outside Bolzano. The ETU Prestige Triathlon once again attracted a world-class field for the Olympic-distance format:

• 1.5 km swim

• 40.8 km bike

• 10 km run

Thomas Steger's Most Complete Kaltern Performance Yet 

Thomas delivered one of the most complete performances of his career in Kaltern, reinforcing his strong historical connection with the race, where he has previously finished 5th, 3rd, and 1st.

Controlled Swim in Deep Field: 8th Out of the Water 

The race began at a fast pace in ideal lake conditions. Thomas emerged from the water in 8th position, recording a strong 20:10 split and averaging approximately 1:20min/100m. He completed the swiminhisnon-sponsored Sailfish Ultimate IPS Plus wetsuit, maintaining contact with the main chase group despite a deep and highly competitive field. For the race, he competed in an OTSO racing trisuit, combining aerodynamics and comfort acrossallthreedisciplines. His transition setup was highly optimized, using fi'zi:k Hydra cycling shoes for fast T1 execution, paired with a fi'zi:k helmet to maximize efficiency on the bike leg.

First Olympic-Distance Triathlon Race on Scott RC Ultimate & KOM Performance 

This race also marked a key equipment milestone: his first Olympic-distance triathlon on his new non-sponsored Scott RC Ultimate setup, paired with ultra-light Arcaris Pro 8848 wheels supported by Panda Podium. 

The setup immediately proved its competitiveness on the demanding Kaltern course.

From early on the bike, Thomas moved through the field with confidence and control. He delivered a dominant performance, producing:

• Fastest bike split of the day (57:20)

• Average speed of 41.8 km/h

• Strava KOM on the Lake Kaltern bike loop segment

His pacing and aerodynamic efficiency made him one of the strongest riders on the course.

Fastest Run Split Secures Podium Fight 

On the final 10 km run, Thomas elevated his performance further. Wearing PUMA Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 he produced the fastest run split of the entire elite men’s field in 30:47 (3:06 min/km pace).

He steadily closed the gap to French Pro Triathlete Basile Boris Fouchard, turning the race into a dramatic head-to-head battle in the closing stages.

As expected by Daniel Brunato, president of the Kaltern triathlon section, the race was ultimately decided on the run. In the final sprint, Fouchard managed to edge ahead in the last 200 meters.

Fouchard won in 1:49:47, with Thomas finishing just four seconds behind in 1:49:51 after a near-perfect all-round performance.

Performance snapshot

Discipline Overview 

• Swim: 8th place (20:10 / ~1:20 min/100m)

• Bike: 1st fastest (57:20 / 41.8 km/h)

• Run: 1st fastest (30:47 / 3:06 min/km)

Race Result 

• Overall: 2nd place

• Total time: 1:49:51

Equipment 

• Wetsuit: Sailfish Ultimate IPS Plus

• Trisuit: OTSO trisuit

• Bike: Scott Addict RC Ultimate 2026 

• Carbon Wheels: Arcaris Pro 8848 carbon wheels set 

• Cycling shoes: fi'zi:k Transiro Hydra

• Helmet: fi'zi:k Kudo 

• Running shoes: PUMA Fast-R Nitro Elite 3

• Sports watch: Polar Vantage V3 

Additional Achievement 

• Strava KOM: Lake Kaltern bike loop segment

Men's Elite Results 2026

1. Basile Boris Fouchard (FRA) – 1:49:47

2. Thomas Steger (AUT) – 1:49:51

3. Federico Murero (ITA) – 1:51:07

4. Jakob Meier (AUT) – 1:53:48

5. Tommaso Alba (ITA) – 1:55:52

Next target: 2026 The Championship of Challenge Family Triathlon Series - Challenge Šamorín (X-Bionic Sphere, Šamorín, Slovakia)

Following his standout performance in Kaltern, Thomas now turns his focus to the Challenge Family Triathlon Championships 2026 – Challenge Šamorin on 24 May 2026.

The half-distance race includes:

• 1.9 km swim

• 90 km bike

• 21 km run

He has strong history at the venue, finishing 3rd in 2022 and 4th in 2021, and will arrive in strong form after his exceptional showing in Kaltern.

A solo 7:54 climb at the 2026 Hungerburg Classic placed Thomas Steger within seconds of elite riders in Innsbruck, highlighting the narrow gap between

amateur and professional climbing performance.

The Hungerburg Classic returned to Innsbruck on April 18, 2026, once again testing riders on one of Tyrol’s most demanding short climbs.

Since 1931, the 3.5-kilometre ascent to Hungerburg has served as a compact but revealing measure of climbing ability-short, steep, and brutally efficient at exposing pacing errors.

From Hötting Church, the road rises roughly 250 metres at 7-8% on average. But it is the steepest section, the “Höttinger Hölle,” where gradients spike above 20%, that defines the effort.

Elite race: record pace at the front

Germany’s Felix Engelhardt (Team Jayco–AlUla) set the fastest time of the day, stopping the clock at 7:38.6.

The performance improved on Harald Totschnig’s long-standing benchmark from 2007, though course length changes in recent years slightly complicate direct comparisons.

Behind him, Jonas Holzknecht (Tirol KTM Cycling Team) took second in 7:49.1, followed by Daniel Federspiel (Team Felt–Felbermayr) in 7:52.2.

Known informally within parts of the triathlon community as “Speedy Gonzales,” Thomas has built a reputation not through branding, but through repeated high-level execution on the run course.

Thomas Steger was racing so far only 4 times in France and has three podium's and one fourth placement.

Recent Top Results in 2025 season are: 

• 🥉 (3rd) place  19. edition of Alpe d'Huez Triathlon 2025 (2.2km swim, 118km bike / +3200m elevation, 20km run / +340m elevation) 

• 🥈 (2nd) place  41. edition of EmbrunMan 2025 (3.8km swim, 186km bike / +3600m elevation, 42.2km run / +440m elevation)

                  You could see his attack on tough uphill bike section in last km of EmbrunMan 2025: here on Youtube link from 44:00min

• 4th place  37. edition of Triathlon de Gerardmer XL 2025 (1.9km swim, 93km bike / +1890m elevation, 21.1km /+240m elevation). Notable to mention that Thomas was only PRO Triathlete racing on his road bike instead of his triathlon bike with which he finished 2nd in 2024 (only 13sec.! behind winner)

His first ever triathlon race in France was in 2024 season: 

• 🥈 (2nd) place (only 13sec.! behind winner) at 36th edition of well-known Triathlon de Gérardmer XL 2024 (1.9km swim, 93km bike / +1890m elevation, 21.1km /+240m elevation). Thomas has total finish time 4h:24:44 (24:08 / 2:43:48 / 1:12:29) again with the most fastest 21.1km run split (3:25/km) on run course with significant elevation gain. This was the first race for Thomas in France in his competitive 2024 triathlon race season and first start ever in Triathlon de Gérardmer.

Thomas Steger aka Green Devil (Italian: Il Diavolo Verde) is well-known in Italian Triathlon Scene with many Wins & Podiums: 

• Challenge Riccione (1.9km swim, 90km bike, 21.1km run) 2x Win 2021 & 2022

• Challenge Cesenatico (1.9km swim, 90km bike, 21.1km run) 2nd 2017 & 2018 & 2019 

• Triathlon di Caldaro (1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run) Win 2022, 3rd 2024 

• Ledroman Hardskin Triathlon (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run) Win 2024, 2nd 202

• TriO Mantova (1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run) Win 2025

In 2024 Thomas has reached total 18,000 km training on bike. In 2025 he has reached 18,500 km training on bike. 

His target for new 2026 season is 22,000km and to become more faster on bike than he is already now. 

Thomas Steger is owner of more than >200 KOM's on Strava! He'd be owner of double number, but most of his KOM's are taken by e-bikers (You can go to Strava profile of Thomas, then click segments, then KOM's / CR's)  

You could follow Thomas on Strava in all his daily bike training activities, KOM's records and all crazy Watts and other data. 

Professional Triathlon Couple from Austria (Thomas Steger and Lisa-Maria Dornauer) with support of TUI Blue Hotels hotel chain in Croatia during April / May 2025 were training for the first time in pre-season in Makarska city, Dalmatia region, Croatia. 

During their training camp, Thomas & Lisa-Maria were also racing together in two triathlon events from 2025 Croatian Triathlon Calendar.

• April, 27., 2025 🥇 (1st) place both for Thomas & Lisa-Maria in 15th edition of Marco Polo Challenge 2025 (1.9km swim, 90km bike, 21.1km run) in Korcula island, Croatia

• May, 4., 2025 🥇 (1st) place both for Thomas & Lisa-Maria in SplitTRI 2025 (1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run)