Welser Innenstadtkriterium – road cycling in the heart of the city
The Welser Innenstadtkriterium is one of Austria's most traditional road races – a circuit right through the centre of Wels, close-up and fast. Start and finish are at Kaiser-Josef-Platz. Hotel Ploberger is located right there – with garage, breakfast and secure storage for your race bike.
Hotel, directions, road cycling and accommodation
What is the Welser Innenstadtkriterium?
The Welser Innenstadtkriterium is one of Austria's best-known road races –
and probably the country's most famous "post-Tour criterium": a few days after the Tour de France, international top stars and local professionals line up right in the heart of Wels.
The race is held on a circuit of around 800 metres, which leads from Kaiser-Josef-Platz over Pfarrgasse, Ringstraße and Hessengasse and back again.
The field completes many laps on this compact circuit – which makes the race unique for spectators, because the entire peloton races past every minute.
This makes the Innenstadtkriterium not only a sporting highlight but also a major social event in the trade-fair city of Wels.
What makes the Welser Innenstadtkriterium special?
What stands out is the closeness to the action: unlike a road race out in the countryside, the racing stays in view at all times on the short city-centre circuit.
The demanding course with its four 90-degree corners calls for cornering technique and bike handling at the highest level – and that at top speeds that leave the audience amazed.
A real cycling festival builds up around the course: video walls broadcast the entire race, bars and food stands along the circuit invite you to linger, and thousands of fans create an atmosphere that thrills riders and spectators alike.
Wels as a road-cycling city
It is not without reason that Wels is regarded as Austria's secret cycling capital.
The city is a repeated stage location of major tours, home to a well-known cycling team and part of the Wels road-cycling region with its attractive routes into the surrounding area.
Cycling comes together here like almost nowhere else in Austria: the Welser Innenstadtkriterium, the city triathlon with its cycling course through the centre, stages of major Tour of Austria races, the Wels road-cycling region, the Traun cycle path and the routes towards the Salzkammergut and the Alpine foothills.
Anyone who loves cycling will find a whole environment here – from the race in the city centre to the tours along the Traun and into the foothills. More on the summer city-sport weekend on our page about the triathlon in Wels.
More than a race
A criterium is road cycling in its most intense form.
On the short circuit, it is not only leg power that counts, but above all tactics, positioning and courage in the corners. Breakaway attempts, lapping and the final sprint are what make the race so exciting for connoisseurs.
For the riders this means full concentration over the entire distance – and for the audience a spectacle of speed, teamwork and nerve that builds lap after lap.
Breakfast before the start
Before a race, the right breakfast matters – and above all that it is available early enough.
At Hotel Ploberger, breakfast is served 365 days a year. Regular breakfast starts at 6:30 – and for sporting events we start earlier on request. If you have to set off even sooner, you can arrange a breakfast or lunch package at reception.
Fresh fruit, nuts, muesli, eggs, regional products and freshly pressed juices provide the basis for a good start.
More on our page about breakfast in Wels.
Reservation and enquiry
Are you planning your start or your visit to the Welser Innenstadtkriterium? We are happy to advise you on rooms, breakfast times and storage for your bike.
The night before the race
Anyone who lines up themselves knows the tension before the race.
That makes it all the more valuable when everything is right on race day: no search for parking, short distances to the start, the bike prepared – and before that a quiet night in an air-conditioned room, sheltered from the bustle of the city.
Anyone who sleeps centrally and relaxed gets to the start rested and without stress. Especially in a fast criterium, every spark of concentration counts.
Recovery after the race
After crossing the finish line, recovery begins – and this is where Hotel Ploberger plays to its strengths.
The sauna and fitness area is the place to loosen tired muscles and wind down. Quiet, air-conditioned rooms ensure restful sleep, and the garden is a place to let the day come to a relaxed close.
Central location and short distances mean: no long drive after the race, but arriving quickly, showering, relaxing.
More in the sauna & fitness section.
Getting to the Welser Innenstadtkriterium
By car
Wels lies directly on the A1 Western Motorway and is easy to reach from Vienna, Salzburg, Linz and Munich.
By train
Wels station is one of Austria's most important railway hubs. From there you reach the city centre and the start/finish area at Kaiser-Josef-Platz within a few minutes.
By plane
Linz Airport is around 20 minutes from Wels and offers good connections for international guests and teams.
Parking at the Welser Innenstadtkriterium
Start and finish are right in the centre of Wels at Kaiser-Josef-Platz – and that is exactly where the course is closed off for the race.
On race day many streets in the city centre are closed, and the car parks around the course tend to fill up quickly.
Guests of Hotel Ploberger use the public underground car park right at Kaiser-Josef-Platz, with lift access to the hotel.
This means you stay practically right on the course: the car stays safely in the garage, and you are at the start, finish and spectator area within a few steps – it hardly gets any closer.
The race bike safely stored
At a criterium, everything revolves around the bike – so safe storage is all the more important.
Carbon road bikes, time-trial machines and race bikes should be safely stored overnight – we understand that for many such a bike is far more than a piece of sports equipment.
At Hotel Ploberger there is a lockable bike room for this. And anyone who would rather not let their bike out of sight may, on request, take it up to the room. Especially with high-quality race machines, this is the favourite solution for many riders.
Just speak to the team directly – we will find a solution so that you can focus fully on the race on the day.
For road cyclists: Wels as a base camp
For many road cyclists, the Innenstadtkriterium is the occasion to spend a whole cycling weekend in Wels – and the location makes the city an ideal base camp.
From Wels you reach Lake Traunsee in around 30 minutes and Lake Attersee in about 45 minutes. The Alpine foothills with their rolling routes begin practically on the doorstep, and along the Traun flat, fast kilometres lead straight out of the city.
This way, the race visit combines perfectly with your own rides: experience the spectacle as a spectator and get in the saddle yourself during the day – from flat routes to demanding climbs into the Salzkammergut.
For spectators and supporters
The Innenstadtkriterium is a celebration for the whole city – and for everyone who cheers along.
Along the circuit there are bars, food stands and spectator spots from which the field races past again and again. There are dedicated activities for families, and the youngest cycling fans get their money's worth too.
Anyone who needs a break will find the cafés, restaurants and short distances of the Wels city centre around Kaiser-Josef-Platz – and in 2027 additionally the regional garden show (Landesgartenschau) in Wels.
Supporters stay at Hotel Ploberger in the same house as the riders – central, quiet and right at the action.
Hotel Ploberger – right at Kaiser-Josef-Platz
Hotel Ploberger is located right at Kaiser-Josef-Platz – where the start and finish of the Innenstadtkriterium are.
For many years, Hotel Ploberger has hosted riders, teams, spectators and supporters around sporting events in Wels.
As a family-run house in its fourth generation, it is a place to rest before the race and unwind afterwards. The quiet, air-conditioned rooms sit in the middle of the city yet sheltered from the bustle. The sauna and fitness area supports recovery, and the breakfast with regional products is available at early times.
Your advantages at a glance:- quiet, air-conditioned rooms in the heart of Wels
- early breakfast with regional products – on request even before 6:30
- sauna and fitness area for recovery
- public underground car park with direct lift access to the hotel
- lockable bike room – race bike may be taken up to the room on request
- right at Kaiser-Josef-Platz – start and finish practically outside the door
- restaurants, cafés and the Wels city centre right outside the door
This turns the race weekend in Wels into a thoroughly relaxed experience – with the shortest distances from bed to start and back.
FAQs about the Welser Innenstadtkriterium
When does the Welser Innenstadtkriterium take place?
The criterium is held every year in summer, traditionally a few days after the Tour de France. The current date is published by the organiser on the official website.
Where are the start and finish?
Start and finish are at Kaiser-Josef-Platz in the centre of Wels. The circuit of around 800 metres leads over Pfarrgasse, Ringstraße and Hessengasse and back.
Where can I park?
On race day many streets are closed and car parks fill up quickly. Guests of Hotel Ploberger use the public underground car park right at Kaiser-Josef-Platz with lift access to the hotel and are at the course within a few steps.
How far is Hotel Ploberger from the start?
The hotel is located right at Kaiser-Josef-Platz – that is, directly at the start and finish area. You can hardly stay any closer.
Can I store my race bike safely?
Yes. There is a lockable bike room, and on request the bike may also be taken up to the room – the favourite solution for many riders with high-quality race machines.
Can I take my bike up to the room?
Yes. Anyone who would rather not let their bike out of sight may take it up to the room on request. Just ask the hotel team.
Where can I clean or service my race bike?
Just ask us – we will help with a cleaning option and small tools where possible. For larger service work there are also bike shops in Wels.
Is there breakfast before the race?
Yes. Regular breakfast starts at 6:30, earlier on request for sporting events. If needed, a breakfast or lunch package can be arranged – best discussed at reception.
Are there rooms for teams?
Yes. For teams and groups, the central location right on the course is particularly practical. Please contact us for a joint booking.
Is Wels suitable for a road-cycling weekend?
Very much so. Numerous road-cycling routes start around Wels towards Lake Traunsee, Lake Attersee, the Salzkammergut and the Alpine foothills – ideal for combining the race with your own training rides.
Is the Innenstadtkriterium interesting for spectators too?
Very. Thanks to the short circuit, the field races past every minute, with video walls, bars and food stands along the course – a real cycling festival.
Reservation and enquiry
Are you planning your start or your visit to the Welser Innenstadtkriterium? We are happy to advise you on rooms, breakfast times and storage for your bike.