In addition to the large outdoor trade fair, a packed timetable awaits with five bike competitions.
5000 festival visitors, 80 exhibitors and 1000 active participants - with these impressive figures, the BIKE Festival Saalfelden Leogang is entering its second round from 13 to 15 September. The three festival days will herald the start of the autumn season for mountain bikers with their exciting bike competitions. In addition to plenty of all-round action, five sporting highlights await, including two series finals.
As the race highlight of the festival weekend, the Rocky Mountain BIKE Marathon on Saturday surprises with a new route and is also the finale of the marathon series, which started in Riva del Garda, Italy, at the beginning of May. Marathon beginners can try their hand at the shortest version in Saalfelden Leogang with 32 kilometres and 1500 metres of elevation gain, while the pros compete on the long distance with 78 kilometres and 3400 metres of elevation gain. With the medium distance of 66 kilometres and 2800 vertical metres, there is also a third variant for ambitious amateur bikers. The common denominator of all three distances is a new section of the route: the Steinbergline by FOX is integrated into each course and swings from the mountain station of the Asitz cable car over ten kilometres into the valley. Technical riding highlights such as the Hangman II or Matzalmtrail, beautiful landscapes in the Schwarzleotal valley and fantastic views from the Asitz summit also await.
The festival in Saalfelden Leogang starts on Friday with the GHOST Recon Ride, a trail and fun event for everyone. A new competition is also part of the programme: for the first time, amateur bikers can qualify for the Red Bull Pumptrack World Championships in Bern via the elimination round in Leogang.
Final of the SCOTT Enduro Series
After the Open Night on Saturday, the Scott Enduro Series really gets down to business on Sunday. Enduro riders can expect crisp single trails with new sections and technical challenges on the route from Leogang to Saalbach Hinterglemm. Alongside the marathon, the enduro race format has become an integral part of the BIKE Festival calendar. The top riders of the season will be crowned in six categories: Elite Women and Men, Pro Masters and in the licence-free classes Open Men, Open Women and Open Junior Male. In addition to the respective daily winners, the overall winners of the Enduro Series will also be crowned at the final race in Saalfelden Leogang.
Last but not least, the youngest riders will also be able to get their first taste of racing at the Scott Junior Trophy as part of the BIKE Festival. Once again this year: after the Eurobike is before the BIKE Festival. That's why the Expo Area will once again feature all the relevant new products for 2020 from over 80 well-known manufacturers to marvel at, touch and try out.
