Austria finally has a national downhill series again! The newly founded Austrian Gravity Series – powered by ÖRV Bike-Card – will feature three races with shorter tracks, one-day-events and less hassle for beginners.
Grassroots downhill cup in Austria
Lots of trails, lots of bike parks, lots of talent. Austria is a downhill biker’s heaven, but didn’t feature a national racing series over the last years. A thing that is very common in lots of other countries. As a result, young riders and hobby athletes had to start racing at European Cup level, which meant 400 riders, short training times and world cup-like tracks. Not the ideal setting to mount your number plate for the first time. This is due to change, thanks to the Austrian Gravity Series.
Syndicate
Over the winter, a syndicate consisting of the Austrian Cycle Federation ÖRV, race organizers, hobby- and world cup athletes and the Austrian mountain bike magazine LINES got together. The resulat: 2017 is the premiere year of a new country-wide racing series. Events will be held from May through October. #1 at Bikepark Königsberg (Lower Austria), #2 at Bikepark Innsbruck/Mutters (Tyrol) and the finale at the resurrected Lakeside Race at Attersee (Upper Austria). The prize giving ceremony will be a special event of it’s own, integrated into the season closing event of Bikepark Schladming respectively for the youngsters at the Specialized Rookies Cup in Innsbruck.
Motivation
Making the entry to racing as easy as possible is the foremost goal of the cup. Shorter tracks, one-day-events and less hassle. The Austrian Gravity Series is a true grassroots cup for everyone. And therefore an investment into the future: Top-class sport is only possible if there is a broad base.
Special attention will be given to the youngest racers. Austria’s fastest downhill rider Markus Pekoll will be available for the youngsters at the races with tips and hints. Racing starts at the U13 class.
Participation
It was important to the organizers, to make the participation as simple as possible. Riders will be eligible to enter either with a license or the ÖRV Bike-Card – a “hobby licence” with insurance, which got a price reduction especially for the series. Registration and information is available in one place. Regulations were simplified, to make uncomplicated races on short courses possible. And for maximum action and excitement, all timed runs (max. two per race day) will be counted for the overall standings.
- Registration (open): lines-mag.at/austrian-gravity-series
- Regulations: lines-mag.at/reglement-austrian-gravity-series
- Facebook: facebook.com/Austrian-Gravity-Series
Thanks to all involved – especially race organizers – for their efforts.
Races 2017
- 20./21.05.2017: Bikepark Königsberg
- 19./20.08.2017: Bikepark Innsbruck/Mutters, Tirol
- 01.10.2017: Lakeside Race, Attersee
- 07.10.2017: Prize giving ceremony, Season Closing Bikepark Schladming
- 08.10.2017: Prize giving ceremony youngsters, Specialized Rookies Cup Innsbruck