Everything you need to know: 2023 UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Saalfelden Leogang

Kicking off with the UCI Mountain Bike Enduro World Cup before the Cross-country and Downhill pros do battle for UCI World Cup points, Austria's biggest bike region will once again transform itself into a mountain bike festival par excellence. High time to look at what's on offer in the region around the Epic Bikepark Leogang during the super event from 15 to 18 June. Just like last year, the organizers are paying great attention to making the journey to the UCI World Cup resource-efficient and the event itself as sustainable as possible.

Competitions & tracks

This year, it will be the enduro riders who kick off the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Saalfelden Leogang, already celebrating the fourth of seven stops within their newly created format. Starting in the Epic Bikepark Leogang in the morning, several stages will lead the riders over to Saalbach Hinterglemm and back for the grand finale that takes place in the Epic Bikepark. 

On Friday evening, the Cross-country elite joins the competition for UCI World Cup points during the Cross-country Short Track (XCC) race, while also determining the starting grid for the Cross-country Olympic (XCO) competition two days later. After a day to recover, the endurance specialists will return on Sunday for the grand finale, the XCO Elite race, which will be held over several laps on the 3.6-kilometer-long racetrack at the foot of the Asitzbahn cable car station. 

The Downhill elite are already challenged to give their best on the “Speedster” on Saturday. The steep and rough track combines demanding rock gardens and root sections with switchback turns and massive jumps. Riders can reach speeds of up to 65 km/h. The famous gap jump in the "Vali's Hölle" section is a much respected challenge for all riders.

For the exact schedule of the races, click here.

Festival feeling, team & expo area, side events

Almost as spectacular as the UCI World Cup races themselves is the Saalfelden Leogang festival area with numerous side events. Heading into the weekend on Friday morning, the UCI World Cup brunch with a DJ will set the mood with great food and a party atmosphere, before celebration continues with the Welcome Party, UCI World Cup BBQs, Warm-up and After party. In between, Flying Bulls pilot Dario Costa will provide another highlight with his flight show, while you can get quite close to your favorite riders at the Signing Session by FOX.

There is even more to experience for the expected 20,000 visitors in the packed Team & Expo Area. This is where most of UCI World Cup life takes place away from the races, and visitors can get close and personal with the teams while peeking over the shoulders of the pros and mechanics at work. In addition, numerous well-known exhibitors present the latest and most exciting innovations in the mountain bike world - from bikes and parts to protection and clothing.

Travel and sustainability

As organizers of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, the Saalfelden Leogang region and the Epic Bikepark strive to keep the ecological footprint of this major event as small as possible, with an emphasis on the support of UCI World Cup spectators.  

The easiest way to make your contribution is certainly by using public transport to get there and back. Saalfelden Leogang can be easily reached via the railway junctions of Salzburg, Innsbruck, Munich and Klagenfurt. Local public transport and extra shuttles can be used free of charge. In addition, the admission tickets for the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Leogang from 16 to 18 June 2023 are automatically valid as a ticket for almost all public transport in the province of Salzburg. Arriving by train is not only good for the environment, but also for your wallet.

Furthermore, Saalfelden Leogang places great importance on the correct separation of waste using the waste islands provided and also on the use of the reusable cups provided on the festival site. Obviously, visitors should also take everything back home that they brought to the UCI World Cup or dispose of it correctly. Consuming seasonal and regional food is not only an easy way to make your contribution at home, but also in Saalfelden Leogang. Products from the region are marked with the green seal of quality "Echt.Gsund.Guad". All information on how you can help to make the UCI World Cup in Saalfelden Leogang as sustainable as possible can be found here. 

Tickets for this world-class bike weekend are available online and as we know from experience, are highly sought-after. It is worth being quick!  

For more information on the UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Saalfelden Leogang, visit www.mtb-weltcup.at. 

All those who cannot attend the double UCI World Cup in person, can follow the final race live on different channels. More information on where to watch which race is available here.