Saalfelden Leogang in Salzburger Land, Austria, June 10th 2015 – At the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, everything flies by. Last weekend, the downhill stars were fighting for the win on the Scottish Fort William (GBR) track, and this week they will travel to Saalfelden Leogang to compete in round 3 on June 13th and 14th. Waiting for them on the Asitz mountain is a fresh track peppered with novelty surprises to keep them on their toes. Red Bull Air Race World Champion, Hannes Arch will signal the start of the race with a spectacular aerial show on Sunday.
In Fort William Greg Minnaar (RSA) proved he is back in shape after recovering from an injury. He scored his 17th World Cup victory, and another win in Leogang on June 14th would give him more career wins than the British legend Steve Peat. Rivals like World Cup leader Aaron Gwin (USA) will make every effort to take the glory. Local hero Markus Pekoll (AUT) also wants “to perform well and to make the spectators happy.” In the women’s race, last year’s winner Manon Carpenter (GBR) will be recovering from her crash in Fort William and hoping to pin it against her toughest competitors. Riding on a victory-high from Scotland, Rachel Atherton (GBR) will want to keep stacking the points and stand on the top of the podium in Leogang. Spectators can expect a heated race, as the downhill racers will be giving it their all on the “Speedster” track.
What about the course? The 3.1 km/ 1.61 mi long Speedster track is more technical than ever before. Furthermore, some high speed sections have been added and the new final jump is even longer. The track is divided in different sections, designed to test various riding skills. The mix of high speed and technical sections is certain to produce an incredible race atmosphere. Racers will be making the most of their favourite sections and fighting for every second in the more challenging parts. For example, Josh Bryceland and Rachel Atherton will be charging it over the big jumps, while Emmeline Ragot will feel right at home on the steep berms and Manon Carpenter will be smooth riding over the rocks and roots.
Straight out the gate, the Asitz Gambler section will take no prisoners. This steep but fast section with tricky rock lines and sharp berms will get the blood pumping fast. This is where Aaron Gwin’s legendary bare-rim run began last year. After exiting the Steinberg Rocks the track continues through a tunnel into an open, sloping meadow towards the Stöckl Forest. This year, there is a new route over loose forest soil, uncovering lots of roots and stumps which will try to put the racers off their pace for the Stoana Mää Jumps. Clean landings here are crucial for maintaining speed. Re-entering the forest, the Roots of Asitz await. Traitorous root carpets and rock gardens will test the technical skills. Will the riders pin over and hope for the best, or weave their way through? With the finish line now in sight, a steep Stairs of Contrast rock face leads the athletes onto Hollywood Section. This last, high speed passage will send them over 18m/ 59 ft. tables. Crossing the line and looking over the shoulder towards the clock, the only question that remains is who is fastest!
On Sunday, aerobatic pilot Hannes Arch will emerge in the blue skies before the finals at 12:15pm. The Austrian is undoubtedly one of the most exciting and ambitious pilots and the first European to win the World Cup in 2008. His fearless style shook the world and changed the dynamics of the sport. The spectators should gather around the World Cup finishing area to witness his awesome aerial maneuvers.
Visitors can take advantage of a special Out of Bounds package including tickets and accommodation:
UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Package from June 11th to 14th 2015 – 3 overnight stays incl. 2 day Out Of Bounds ticket to the event area and all side-events (Oe3 Party, etc.) and the Löwen Alpin Card (guest card for Saalfelden Leogang) starting from € 104,- per person. Book now under reiseservice@saalfelden-leogang.at or 0043 / (0) 6582 / 70660.
Those who can’t be on site at the Out of Bounds Festival, can follow the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup comfortably from home. Red Bull TV will broadcast the race on Sunday, June 14th from 2:30 pm CEST on redbull.com/uci-mtb-world-cup-2015-round-5-leogang-austria.
News about the UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup and biking in the Saalfelden Leogang region can be found on the bike channel: bike.saalfelden-leogang.com or on: facebook.com/MountainBike.WC.Leogang. You will find further information about Bikepark Leogang here: bike.saalfelden-leogang.com or on: facebook.com/Leogang.Bikepark. News and information about the Saalfelden Leogang region can be found on: saalfelden-leogang.com/en or on: facebook.com/SaalfeldenLeogang.