Fast-paced training day on the Leogang World Cup "Speedster" course

Nine racers from Austria will also be battling it out for a place in Sunday's final.

Steep, slippery and with many new features: In today's training, the Leogang World Cup course presented itself as technically demanding as never before. The 2.3 kilometre long "Speedster" was adapted by the organisers in collaboration with former pro Markus Pekoll and has been met with great enthusiasm by the riders. Even though it has some additional technical sections this year, the course in Leogang is still considered the fastest in the circuit. It's all about clean line choice, high cornering speed and perfect jumping technique.
 

Nine Austrians fight for a place in the final

291 riders from 31 nations will start the qualification runs tomorrow, Saturday. Only the best 60 men, 15 women and 20 juniors will qualify for the final on Sunday. Nine local riders, including three from Pingzau, will be fighting for a place in the final. The Saalbach up-and-comer Vali Höll, who is celebrating her Leogang World Cup premiere in the juniors with two World Cup victories under her belt, is already guaranteed a place in the final. For the 16-year-old, the home World Cup is a completely new experience and the media hype in the run-up is huge. Nevertheless, the fast and jump-heavy home course seems tailor-made for her: "I still have a few minor problems, but I hope it will be better tomorrow," Höll explains ambitiously. Two Saalbach local heroes are flying the red-white-red flag for the male juniors: Devid Botter and Florian Gerns, both training partners of Vali Höll. In the elite men's event, Styrian David Trummer, the best-placed Austrian in the elite men's World Cup rankings, is the most promising candidate for a top position: "A top 20 result in Leogang would be the goal," says Trummer. In the elite women's event, Tyrolean Simone Wechselberger is another Austrian in the field of the world's best downhillers.

Super Saturday in the Bikepark Leogang

Everything is ready for the eighth Downhill World Cup in Saalfelden Leogang. An event that has so far been characterised by an American with his legendary runs: Aaron Gwin, who holds the hat-trick in Leogang. The dominance that the 30-year-old has shown in his "living room" in recent years speaks for itself, but the American is still holding back his expectations after the heavy crash in Fort William: "I'm still a little sore here and there, but it should be fine for Sunday." Frenchman Loris Vergier, who has already finished on the podium here several times, is also always strong in Leogang. But other riders can also be fast on the Speedster, as Austria's best, David Trummer, knows: "Basically, everyone who feels comfortable in BMX and four-cross and can push off the jumps well is fast here." Double world champion Loic Bruni (FRA) also showed today with the fastest run in training that he is a force to be reckoned with in Leogang this weekend.

Last year's elite women's winner Tahnee Seagrave (GBR) comes to Leogang with a lot of self-confidence. She recently won in Fort William and also has very fond memories of Leogang, having celebrated her first World Cup victory on Pinzgau soil last year. Alongside Rachel Atherton (GBR), who is celebrating her Leogang comeback and posted the fastest training time today, and France's Myriam Nicole, she is considered the big favourite.
 
In addition to the sporting highlights, there will also be plenty going on at Bikepark Leogang tomorrow: the large expo area, a spectacular freestyle motocross show, a kids' pump track challenge, autograph sessions with the stars of the scene and an open-air concert with a live band. The qualification starts tomorrow at 12.15 pm with Valentina Höll's seeding run.

For all those who can't make it to Leogang, the Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup in Leogang will be available live and as video-on-demand free of charge at www.redbull.tv/uci/deutsch on the Red Bull TV BIKE Channel: redbull.tv/bike. The Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup in Leogang will also be broadcast live on Servus TV.