12 years after the last World Cup competitions in the Olympic sport were held in Schladming, and more than two years after the Eliminator World Cup in Styria, it is finally time again next weekend - Saalfelden Leogang will host a double World Cup of mountain bikers for the first time as part of the Out of Bounds festival, from 11 to 13 June.
The spectacular short track competition kicks off on Friday evening, with the cross country elite battling for the starting grid for Sunday’s races and, of course, for important World Cup points.
Downhill decisions on Saturday
The Saturday of the Out of Bounds Festival (12.6.) belongs entirely to the downhillers around local matador Vali Héll and David Trummer, Austria's silver medalist at last year's World Championships in Saalfelden Leogang. For local matadorin Héll, the race in Leogang is both a home game and a comeback after her injury: “I’m extremely happy that spectators can be there again. It’s just part of our sport and it pushes me even more. And of course it also helps that my family can be there again.”
Cross country elite top motivated
Sunday (13.6.) will be dedicated to the Olympic discipline of mountain bikers. There have been two World Cup events so far this season: In the women’s event, the U23 world champion from Leogang, Loana Lecomte (FRA) dominated both races, and in the men’s event, Victor Koretzky (FRA) won in Albstadt. In Nove Mesto, Britain's Tom Pidcock dominated - and thus the man who has already caused a stir with two world titles in Leogang. From an Austrian point of view, the two Tyroleans, Mona Mitterwallner and Max Foidl, will travel to Leogang as fresh-faced state champions: “I am already looking forward to the home World Cup in Leogang and am already very motivated. I am looking forward to going into the race as number one and have only positive memories of last year, in which I was able to win my first junior world title at the home World Cup. The track is ideal for me, it is a long and steep climb. I am definitely prepared at the start line,” says Mitterwallner, who has so far dominated both U23 competitions of the current World Cup season.
Tickets for the Out of Bounds festival in Saalfelden Leogang run until this Wednesday, June 9th. The grandstand seats (600 on Friday/Saturday and 700 on Sunday) are personalized and offer an optimal view of the race action. On Saturday, there will also be a spectacular flying show of the Flying Bulls. The 3G rule applies. Remaining tickets are still available at www.mtb-weltcup.at. For those who cannot attend the double World Cup live, there is the possibility to follow the final races on Red Bull TV and ORF.
